M6: Battle for Refuge (Ground)

[Samuel Murray]

Mission Six: Battle for Refuge...

Location: City of Refuge

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UNSC Marine Corps, 7th Marines, First Battalion, Delta Company, Fourth Platoon, Bravo Squad, Fireteam Alpha, “Oden Four-Two-One” Private Samuel Murray.

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Outskirts of Refuge, Odds against us

    "W...wa....wake...wake up....wake up....wake up"-a voice rung through the darkness. There was the sound of groaning metal quickly followed by the sound of falling concrete. Samuel shook his head and gripped it tightly-his eyes blinked a few times quickly, before his vision began to come back to him and he realized he woke up into a place of horror. Bravo Squad's Pelican had crashed through what appeared to once be some sort of office building. Glancing about he realized that he was still strapped into his seat within the blood tray. The sound of a gruff voice came in front of him-slowly turning his head; Sam glanced with narrow eyes towards the man, "Corp...Corporal...Booker?"


    The voice glanced towards the man and set his gloved hands on Samuel's face, "You alright son? Stay with me," he said as he shook the injured soldier's head. Samuel closed his eyes for a few moments as he felt his head throbbing, "My...head...hurts. Wh-what...happened...where are we?" The corporal slid his hands off the young soldier's face and slid out his field knife and began to cut him out of his seat-sliding the sharp blade against the fibers of the seat belt. "We deployed with the first assault wave and were moving towards our objective, LZ Mona," the veteran paused as he had managed to cut through the belt-freeing Samuel, "There was an EMP blast that swept through the city as we were in the air and it sent us on a hellish spiral..."


    "We’re lucky any of us survived," interrupted a whispering voice exiting from the pilot's bay of the pelican, "None of the pilots survived the crash.” Through the darkness the voice grew closer and Samuel realized that it was Specialist Kinsley, a quiet boy from the Outer Colonies, a member of Fireteam Bravo. "Try and see if you can stand up son...we need to get out of this death trap as quickly as possible," responded the Corporal.


    Samuel winced in pain as he stood up; his legs ached with pain and he grasped onto the Corporal’s shoulder, “I’ve seen better days,” he said gritting his teeth in agony. “Keep your head up son; we’re going to need you,” he paused, “Hell we haven’t even made it to the battle yet.” Samuel gave the man a quick nod and let go of his grasp on the NCO’s shoulder. He glanced around and found his assault rifle. He picked it up and clicked the safety off. He closed his eyes for a few moments as the heat of the cabin began to blister against his neck, “Where’s Veronica…and Mendez,” Sam muttered towards his mentor.


    The Corporal’s rifle drooped behind his shoulder as he refastened and strapped his helmet back on, “Private Sanders is outside this wreck; with the rest of the survivors of the squad,” he paused, “Mendez didn't survive the crash.” Samuel glanced towards his row of seats-Mendez’s limp body slouched in the seat next to what was once Samuel’s.
Samuel closed his eyes and slid his palm up towards his face as he gave a sigh-this was the first friend that he had ever seen die in combat. Of all us recruits I thought Louis would be the one to survive. He was bred for this kind of thing...and now he's gone, Sam thought to himself. "We don't want to keep the Two-One waiting," said Booker as he gave the soldier a pat on the back, "Louis was a good kid."

    The two men made their way out of the damaged pelican and into the lobby of the damaged office. Samuel glanced about towards the falling soot from the office-the sound of the support beams groaning in the distance. He unclipped his helmet straps and began to slide it off when Booker called out to him, "Keep your helmet on, the site isn't stable." Samuel's blue eyes pierced towards his NCO with acknowledgement. "Nice to see you awake," whispered a feminine voice from Samuel's left-glancing back he saw a tired and solemn Veronica. He shot his love a quick nod and a faint smile that quickly faded with the thought of his dead friend. But, before he could dwell too much on such thoughts a booming voice called out into the lobby. 

    "This is everyone," the voice shouted abnormally loud as his face formed a grimace; his ears obviously ringing in pain also. The motley group glanced towards the faces of the survivors. "Booker," the Sergeant's voice called out, "How many KIA's have you received on the crash?" There was a moment of silence before the veteran spoke up, "One Sir, Private Louis Mendez, the rest of us are banged up, but we're not combat ineffective." The Sargent gave the Corporal a nod and turned towards the rest of the lot, "Where's Corporal Lockely?"

    Samuel watched as Specialist Kinsley looked towards the only other survivor of Fireteam Bravo, a young boy around the age of 19, Private Irvin. "KIA...Sergeant Harrison," Kinsley paused, "I've presumed the role as CO of Fireteam Bravo," the man's voice cracked as he gave a nod towards the Sergeant. Harrison glanced towards the two men and crossed his arms, "I'll presume command of Fireteam Bravo for now, you two are under my command," he paused as he then glanced away from the two and instead directed his attention towards the whole group, "I understand that most of you except for Corporal Booker and I have seen limited to no combat in their time within the Corps. I can't guarantee that the whole lot of you will survive, but we're going to try our best to make that happen," he paused as he shook his head in pain, "We're banged up and we've lost communications..."

    Veronica spoke up stopping the Sergeant in mid-sentence, "Sir...have we received any word from Oden Four Sierra, Actual...or Guardian Actual...?" Harrison narrowed his eyes as he spoke up dismissing her question directly, "As I was saying before I was interrupted we have lost all communications from the battalion. The EMP has wiped out all communications with Odin Four Actual or Odin Four Sierra. I've come the Conclusion that we've crashed several miles from LZ Mona and it's going to be quite a run," he paused, "It's been around a day or so since our crash...I'm not sure if we're winning the battle, but I do know we need to Oscar Mike towards LZ Mona and then we'll update our Action Plan from there."

    The group glanced about and gave a nod and then shouted out, "Oorah!" The Sargent gave a quick smile and then readied his rifle, "Careful...this building could go down at any minut....." suddenly a loud groan boasted out and the floor dropped beneath the squad. Samuel lost his footing and his hands flailed as he dropped against the concrete and onto the floor below. The sound of chaos and shouting could be heard throughout the thick fog of dust. "Veronica....Veronica," Samuel called out. It was a few moments of silence before her voice responded out behind him, "I'm alright," she groaned, "Just a few cuts and bruises. He turned around and reached out grasping onto her arm, "Where's Booker," he panted. But, before a voice could respond a grueling harsh scream could be heard. 

    The two Marines made their way towards the voice and found Sergeant Harrison squealing in pain-his legs smashed and buried under boulders. "The exit is caved in...We're stuck," exclaimed Kinsley as he paused as he saw his CO. "What are we going to do," called out Irvin nervously. Samuel shook his head in pain and disbelief;they were stuck and their Sargent was buried and combat ineffective with no communications for a MEDEVAC or a CASEVAC for Louis or the others. Booker limped up towards the huddled group, "Bloody hell," he said in a cold expression. Samuel glanced towards the Corporal-hoping he'd have an answer. 

    Before anyone could respond, Harrison spoke up, "I'm combat ineffective," he grimaced, "And you're all stuck in here until this building collapses. There is only one way that I can think of that will get us...get us out of this. Give me your only C-12." The group glanced at each other in shock and then back towards the CO, "We're not going to let you kill yourself," shouted Veronica in anger, "We need you!"

    "I'm done for...You still have Booker...besides a Wolf will eat it's own foot to survive...and I need to do this so you all survive." Before anyone could protest Booker spoke up, "Listen to the Sargent...it's a necessary sacrifice...we have a mission," he glanced towards Harrison with eyes of determination. He then turned towards Samuel, "Give him the C-12." Samuel paused for a moment and slid his backpack off and pulled out the square pack and bent down towards the Sergeant-who grasped his hand, "You're going to make one hell of a soldier kid." Samuel froze for a moment;not knowing what to say. He shook his head forward and backed up, "Goodbye Sir," he whispered as he took cover with the rest of the group in the conference room which was ways away from the middle of the the caved in room. There was a moment of silenced followed by a loud rumble and dust. The team ran up and towards a large hole as the office began to groan and buckle, "He did, down here to the bottom floor and let's move...she's coming down," called out the Corporal as he hopped down the small drop-followed by the rest of the troops.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
Artifact Site - W.I.A

John stood amongst the smoke as if parted from the Earth, creators created by the bombardment from orbit. It had stopped, which meant the UNSC ship depleted what rounds it had left or had to pull away. The clear signal was never given. Fortunately, the Marines were mopping up the rest of the Covenant around the artifact and it appeared they were retreating. The Colonel studied the battle area, the building the Covenant were once in all but rubble. It surprisingly was still standing, though much of the buildings infrastructure had collapsed.

In that rubble, hid the artifact. The device was clearly disabled or destroyed as the Colonel's heads up display had returned. Though, everything else electronically linked to it still wasn't showing up. John saw his vitals, could access the files he stored in his mental filling cabinets, and had access to messages directed to him. Communications had been restored, but everyone would have to view the message through their mandatory neural lace. He double checked, his map was still operational. It was clearly outdated now since the damage to the city, but it contained the coordinates to the Marine LZ.

He composed a quick message and sent it nearly immediately to anyone who still had an active transponder, it read: "Guardian Actual to all UNSC Military Vectors receiving. Regroup at the Marine LZ. Check uploaded map for coordinates. Out.". John vibrated with satisfaction, the first message sent out to the UNSC since they landed in this once beautiful place. Now people could regroup.

"Whoa! Hey, Colonel! Nice message!" A Marine rooted in approval. Another whooped, and an assault rifle blared. A Covenant contact went down, and the rest of the Marines seemed relieved. John sighed, the UNSC could have used what ever technology was powering that EMP. He was still frustrated that his weapons reticle hadn't showed up but he wasn't worried. The Marines had proven effective with reserve sights or what ever else they had used.

"Wrap it up, gentlemen! We're heading back to the Marine LZ to regroup and pull out. Gather any Civilians you can find and lets leave this hell hole. Double time! Watch your sectors, the Covenant are still out there." John spoke, waiving at his Marines in the distance checking out the facility the Artifact was being help in to regroup. The Colonel gathered the fallen dog tags from Troopers, Marines and ODSTs alike and said a soft prayer for those who had fallen, hoping they were in a better place.

"Sir," An ODST said. "We're ready to move out."

"Lead the way, Sergeant." John replied.

Time to get his men home.

---

Current UNSC Objectives:
-Reach the Rally Point or if the Rally Point isn't able to be reached, an auxiliary site. (C)
-Regroup the survivors, and assess who they have with what kind of equipment. (C)
-Distribute the available equipment, ammunition and rations as needed while keeping a central stock (F)
-Hunker down in a defensive position if possible (F)
-Send out scouts or patrols to learn the location of the artifact/EMP and figure out a means to keep the Covenant busy or observe from afar. (C)

Optional Objectives:
-Regain communications with orbital assets, if possible. (C)
-Mount a counteroffensive against the Covenant (C)

Ending UNSC Military Strength:

Vessels:
2 Cruisers

Ground Forces:
7th Marines - 100-150 Marines & ODSTs
UNSC Amry - 25-30
NavSpecWep - (3)

With the near destruction of Hope's military garrison, the devastation of the 14th and 22nd Tactical Fleets and the annihilation of the 7th Marines the UNSC deemed this a Pyrrhic victory due to the destruction of the Forerunner Artifact, but a strategical and tactical defeat.

[RiddL]

Staff Sergeant Kai (Wolf) Blacklock

Remember the Fallen

Kai just lowered his head to the ground and started to walk back to the LZ with some soldiers who felt the same way, he looked at them and said through comms, "We lost a lot of people, civilian, marines and ODST's, We will remember and honor the fallen, We will remember them"

Kai held his head up high and started to march to the LZ, weary of any last surprises the Covenant might have left for them. Some of those around him muttered "We will remember them" and raised their rifles and kept an eye out for any Covenant that may be hiding. Kai smiled and stood straighter with pride.

[Huka]

Field Master Til Je'at Ra'ha 'Muramai
The Key Choice of War...if it went against honor

The humans started their retreat, a rather odd thing to attack and suddenly turn their backs on their opponents. A typical officer who find it a grave insult and hunt them down to the last soul but Til theorized it had to with the Artifact. From the effect on the Human infrastructures, the holy relic's power also seemed to have disabled and crippled the Humans as much as the sect's own forces. Holding the dangling trophy in his hand by its spinal cord with thick blood dripping on the ground as he stood upon a hill of rumble amongst his soldiers, the Field Master pondered as the fire of war still barked occasionally on some parts of the battlefield while he stood alone with a bloody-bladed Sorsa and one of the Kahnu brothers crushing a squirming human under his boot like a insect as the sect slowly gathered to him as their living standard.

"We are leaving the city." Til concluded at last after a whispering breeze, a command that even surprised Sorsa but he didn't seem to disagree. Of course he didn't, Special Operators were usually of insane fanatics that wouldn't think twice of strapping a high-powered bomb to themselves or relational logical and flexible in their honor codes.

Some of the more traditional officers tried to object but the Field Master wasn't going to hear it, it wasn't worth his soldiers' lives. They've destroy the enemies' city and destroy a potential threat to the Sangheili's proper command in the Covenant, but lost a relic in this grave fight. Another half-victory with unforeseen ripples to a unseen future. "Come, brothers..." He started, feeling one of his Yanme'e perching on his shoulders, "We are returning to the Fleet. We leave broken and wiser to ourselves and our enemy today. Tomorrow, we return stronger and this world will burn for its transgressions."

Seeing to that promise, the sect made their exodus with the last fragments of the destroyed Artifact in Til's possession while a summons of retrieval was given when the voices of the Battlenet was heard through their armors' comms.

---

::Covenant Objectives::

-Defend the Artifact at all costs until it can be extracted (F)
-Determine a method of regaining contract with the Battlenet and the incoming fleet (S)
-Regain order (S)

Optional Objectives:

-Determine a method of deactivating the artifact without harming it (F)
-Prevent the Humans from reorganizing (F)

Ending Covenant Military Strength:
Vessels:
1 Reverence-class Cruiser
2 Corvettes

Ground Forces:
Reticent Strike Team (Field Marshal R'ha 'Katolai recovered by Kig-yar Search Lances)
Covenant Vanguard (150)
Jiralhanae (50)


Official Report and Acknowledgement of Individual Accomplishment...PENDING TO COUNCIL OF MASTERS NOW
(OOC: Covenant PCs may post their reaction of Artifact destruction and later exodus until Mission Closing)

[HollowSaber]

: Corporal Jake Furrow :
: Task Force 77, Nova Squad :

: Condition :
Secured
Wounded

: Location :
Covenant Territory
Artifact Area

: Objective :
Recover Stuff

: Tags :
HollowSaber

After reaching the friendly group of Troopers, Jake swirled around and set himself up against the trunk of a semi-destroyed car. The soldier he was with did the same, but he didn’t hide. Instead the man opened fire on the Covenant down the street, flinging rounds at them with extreme prejudice. Jake, energized by the sight, knocked on the edge of the Covenant needle rifle and swirled around the bumper of the vehicle. Lining up the middle of the blank sight, the sniper leveled the rifle on a fast approaching Jackal. He squeezed the trigger and fired, drilling the creature in the throat. A moment later, lead rain peppered the body for a short second. Kill confirmed, Jake adjusted to the next target. It fell before he could level his sights. Damn, he was slow.

“Target right!” Glancing over to his right at the sudden shout, Jake watched at the Elite from before tore through a small team of Troopers in the building across the street. He considered heading inside and assisting, but crossing the street was dangerous. There was also no way he could fight that thing in his condition.

“Omega Team, get out of the building! Reddinger, fire the rocket again!” The orders came from inside the building to Jake’s left, and from one of the higher floors where many of the Troopers were hunkered down in. After a short pause, a second rocket launcher blasted from inside of the building and rocketed down the street. The stern voice Jake had heard made him a little more comfortable, it seemed that faceless man was the Lieutenant. Good to know that someone was in charge in this mess.

“Lieutenant! COMs up!” Another voice shouted from a lower floor, the alert echoing through the air as Jake was reminded that he didn’t have a helmet. Shit, he needed that.

“Ey, Trooper. Where’s your crap?” The familiar voice from Jake’s left perked up again as the gunfire stopped. Jake looked over to see the man reloading his rifle. The motion was swift, seamless, and practiced. It was almost perfect and Jake wondered how many clips the soldier had actually fed into the rifle he held. Fifty? One hundred? Five hundred? To get that smooth took a lot, and Jake feared the thought of ever being on the other end of the barrel with such a man at the trigger.

“There.” Jake pointed the end of his pathetic excuse for a rifle towards the building he had been held prisoner in. The place was still standing, for the most part, but he could see that the inside was a mess. The rubble there would make finding his stuff difficult, if not impossible. Though, he was still going to search anyways.

“That’s a great spot. Hold on.” The soldier turned away from the building and aimed back towards the Covenant. Jake did the same as he turned around the back of the vehicle. Three needle rounds escaped the rifle in Jake’s hands before a hand tapped his shoulder. It was the other Trooper, again. He worked fast.

“Let’s go, Lieutenant cleared us. Let’s get your shit.” A moment after speaking, two more bodies appeared from inside the friendly building, one of them with a red cross on his arm. Jake wiggled his nose at the sight and was promptly helped up to his feet.
“Landers, Yostling, Cover.” The Trooper barked at the new two faces, but they didn’t say anything back. Instead their rifles were turned up the street and began to flash as Jake started to move.
“Move in five, ladies.”

“Roger, Sarge.” Sarge? Jake looked at the Trooper who was walking backwards behind him and searched his sleeves; no chevrons? Strange… but not extremely so. Jake didn’t wear his either. Wait, wasn’t it regulation to wear that stuff?

“Stop looking, start running.” The Sergeant barked and Jake complied, following the chain of command as he usually did when in the presence of worthy superiors. The Corporal turned his back to the fighting and hobbled along as quick as he could, pain filling his leg once more as his adrenaline started to drain from his blood flow. Maybe that was why the man from upstairs sent down a medic.

“Time!” The Sergeant barked, the five seconds he had ordered having passed. At that moment, the two ODSTs providing cover fire turned and ducked back inside of the building they had come out of. Jake and the Sergeant had made it far enough away to be out of range for most of the Covenant munitions so there was no need for further help. Instead, the two ODSTs focused on moving towards the building, and towards the rubble.

“Nice.” A chuckled came from underneath the helmet to Jake’s right as the two men moved passed a few craters in the street. Though, Jake didn’t feel the same. It was a splendid show of force but it had put his life in danger. It also probably cost him his rifle, the only thing he one-hundred percent trusted in the UNSC. The several craters Jake passed were just reminders that he was expendable to the higher-ups, just like everyone else who had died. Pathetic.

Reaching the building he had been held in was much easier than Jake had thought but getting to it was supposed to be easy. The Covenant had retreated for the most part and the last pockets of the aliens were being shot at. For Jake, that was music to his ears. He had been a prisoner for probably ten minutes and felt like a fool for letting himself be caught in the first place. Yet, he could not change the past. He was lucky to have been saved and was extremely grateful to the man beside him. The Sergeant had saved his life.

“Part two.” The sigh from the Sergeant made Jake feel a little upset as well. Inside of the building there were piles of rocks everywhere and dust floated steadily in the air. For the Sergeant, the dust wasn’t a problem. For Jake it would be annoying, but he had no choice. The Corporal walked through the crumbling front door anyways. With no more need for it, Jake tossed the needle rifle off to the side and carefully began to walk through the mess of a floor. The Sergeant walked in as well, but he seemed a lot more observant of his surroundings; he was curious.

A short whistle escaped the Sergeant’s helmet as he looked up to the sixth floor through a hole in the ceiling. Looking down, he saw a dud MLA round lying there. His right foot shook a little, as if he contemplated kicking the thing, but then he quickly moved away from it. Thankfully. Jake took in a short, choking breath from the relief of the Sergeant’s choice. Making his way to where his stuff had been, Jake turned away from the Sergeant and left the man to his own demons. Jake was nuts, but that man had just contemplated kicking an explosive sent from space.

It was almost expected that Jake wouldn’t see a damned thigh in the spot where his stuff had been, but he could see remnants of his bag. Black material was mixed in with the gray stuff and off to his left was a torn strap. Just beyond that was a shiny piece of black metal. Making his way towards it, he began to see more bread crumbs; pieces of paper which were burnt or ripped, cloth which had made up his bags, medical supplies, tools, an extra magazine for his pistol, another two magazines for his sniper rifle. It seemed like only the small stuff remained, scattered and broken in some manner, but there was nothing he could see to give him a clue of where his more important items were. Where was his pistol? His rifle? His bag? Especially the explosive bag. There was no hole in the planet’s crust so he knew that the plastic explosives had not gone off, which both made Jake happy and made him feel disturbed. He could be walking in a minefield…

“Damn…” Jake mumbled as he looked down towards the floor. Rocks and debris were everywhere, covering up much of the floor. What wasn’t covered was useless to him, but it was a good start. At least he knew his stuff was somewhere beneath his feet; so he started to dig.

“Hey, looks like someone had been held prisoner here.” The Sergeant shouted from across the room. Jake took a moment to look at the man, watching at the other Trooper poked at the iron bindings which had held Jake up only minutes before. The Corporal held his tongue though. Any inkling of being a prisoner could land him in a room with ONI surrounding him.

“Seems like it.” The ODST turned his head back to the floor and continued to dig. He pulled and tossed the debris in his way out of it, moving the piles as quickly as he could. Seeing the man work so hard, the Sergeant came over and began to assist Jake in his haste.

Moving from one pile to the next, Jake and the Sergeant moved small mountains of concrete and plaster out of the way, uncovering several spaces of floor while covering up others. They didn’t find much but remnants of the past and there was no sign of Jake’s equipment. It made the Trooper upset to not see anything, but he didn’t expect much coming to the building in the first place. An orbital strike had hit the area outside the building and the place was on the verge of collapse. Getting anything would have been a miracl--

“Oi, I got something.” As Jake was on the verge of giving up, the Sergeant began to claw at a pile near the wall. At that sound of the possibility rising again, Jake joined the other soldier and began to uncover what was beneath the concrete. At first, there was just gray, but as they moved in deeper more began to appear. At first, there was a darker gray, then there was some blue. After a bit more digging, there was black. Jake held back his joy and moved his hands more vigorously as the hidden object slowly became more visible; it was his helmet.

The instant he could, Jake pulled the helmet free and dusted it off. He shook out the rocks inside, cleaned up the visor, and wiped down the filter. Then, he pulled it over his head. The Sergeant turned away from the pile and stared at Jake as the helmet clicked into the rest of Jake’s armor. At the click, the connection stabilized and the filter turned on. Dust shot out the front of the helmet as the fans activated and the display flickered to life. However, not all of it worked. The entire top right corner of the visor was cracked and no electronic signals were able to be passed through it. There was a small crack through the direct center, but that only caused the signal to fizz occasionally. The rest stabilized and came on in its luscious dark green color.

“It works. Kind of.” The Sergeant laughed at Jake’s words, but he quickly stopped. He looked to Jake’s right and pointed. Looking over his shoulder in the same direction, he saw a familiar shape. Sticking out of the rocks was a well camouflaged barrel of a gun, one that was the same color as the rocks around it. The Corporal cursed himself at the sight and quickly scrambled over to the barrel, digging into the rocks around it.

The rocks there were light, and beneath them held something amazing; Jake’s rifle. It was still in one piece but the barrel was bent slightly, rendering the weapon useless. A frown crossed Jake’s face at the sight of his lovely lady being hurt, yet again he had no expectation to even find the thing. He was happy that he had done so, and so was the Sergeant it seemed. It meant that they could leave.

“We’ve got the main stuff, right? Let’s go before this thing comes down on our heads.” The Sergeant was already halfway to the door as he was speaking, but Jake didn’t blame him. The walls creaked quietly and fueled Jake’s drive for survival. Quickly, he chased after the Sergeant and the two made their way swiftly out the front door. From there they were about to head towards the other Troopers, but Jake hesitated. The Sergeant, not hearing boots beside him, turned to see Jake staring at the artifact which flickered with life. The thing was mostly covered up, but some poked out into the sky, and it sparkled. Jake stared at that sparkle.

“Son, I know what you’re thinking…” The Sergeant said aloud, but Jake didn’t look at him..

“I’m gonna touch it.” Jake responded.

“What? No, we don’t know what that thing does!” As Jake took a step forward, the Sergeant took a step back to him.

“I came all this way… I’m gonna touch it.” Jake rumbled and looked at the Sergeant who’s angry face could be seen right through his visor.

“Don’t you do it.” The two men stared at each other for a long, but short, moment. Then, it turned into a race.

Breaking the staring contest, Jake darted down into the crater the Artifact was in. The Sergeant quickly followed the motion, but he moved in a slightly less direct path as he tried to cut Jake off. Jake stumbled a little, his leg burning with pain from the downward motion while the Sergeant moved much more easily. Still, Jake had been closer. Even with his injury, he had an advantage. As he closed on the artifact piece, his display flickered; it still had some power. It was weak though, and it made him even more interested. To his right, the Sergeant’s boots were loud, close, and violently smashing the collapsed floor. Jake grit his teeth and extended his right hand…

Contact… Metal…

Jake stood there, his fingers collapsing around the piece of what remained of the Forerunner Artifact. It was smooth, metallic, and cold even though it had just been pelted with a hot munition from space. It zapped him a little as he first touched it, but it wasn’t major and the electricity faded. At the same moment he touched the thing, the Sergeant grabbed his wrist in a futile attempt to stop the connection. With a firm grasp, Jake looked at the Sergeant who was looking back at him.

“I already don’t like you.” The Sergeant muttered. Jake only stared.

Fight for those you never see...

Coded By Saber of L33T T3@M

[MrKill]

First Lieutenant Kyle Killinger
Seventh Marines
Buried... again.

The night had disappeared and the sun had started to shin, sprinkling the room with the reflection of the rising sun thanks to the magnitude of broken shards of glass and glossy panels that had collapsed. Kyle extended his right hand, which wobbled slightly as his fingers clasped for the warm embrace of the burning star. He smiled thoughtfully for a few minutes, the sun slowly creeping down his arm. It was dawn, and the night had ended. Though the junior officer wasn't wet anymore, he was still cold. The bleeding had stopped, dried and painted the floor he had spent the last half a dozen hours laying on with a mucky red.

"Jay," Kyle said. "You there?"

The Second Lieutenant, however, hadn't responded for nearly the entire night since the blasted longsword dropped its ordinance practically on top of them, or so it felt. With a sigh Kyle used what little strength he had left to force a package of protein bars out of his pouches and promptly devoured them, finishing it off with a chug of water from his canteen. He discarded the wrappers and watched them blow away with the soft wind, bouncing off the rubble that had collapsed.

A message from his father pipped across his eyes and a sense of pure excitement pulsated through his being, he immediately sent a reply. He told his father of his rough location, by the harbor near the Marine LZ, and his condition. Kyle, like his father, was wounded and weak from the long night. Though his father never slept for long, Kyle had dozed off while under the rubble. His leg was still pinned by the debris on top of him and his leg was still broken from the knee down. His knee was also fractured, or twisted. The pain had come and gone, and was probably one of the major factors of his 'nap'.

"Jay!" Kyle shouted, "We're going to be alright, man. Hang in there!"

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Captain Garatus

Garatus tore into his foes, his Spiker rifle firing into the Humans, the occasional slash from the blades destroying one of the pitiful imps. A bullet whizzed across Garatus's shoulder, blood trickled down his chest and back but he paid no attention to it as he stomped on a imps abdomen, crushing the bottom of the ribs and killing it. He rose up as he heard shouting from his enemies a ways away.

"Get down!" Garatus bellowed as bullets ripped forward towards his Pack, many leapt to the ground but five at least fell from the initial volley and several others were injured. Garatus's shoulder moved back with force as several bullets impacted it, and at least two imbedded in his chestplate, he allowed his body to relax and simply fell backwards like a fruit sack. As soon as his incredible bulk thudded to the ground he rolled to the side and found himself behind a pile of the abundant rubble. He rested his Spiker rifle on the mound and fired in the direction of the enemy to give his Pack time to recover from the surprise attack.

Soon return fire from the rest of the Pack rained forward and they slowly advanced once more. Until, that is, the Artifact was destroyed utterly. Garatus realized something was happening as Human smoke things streaked through the air, not a good sign Garatus knew. Then there was a blinding light, Garatus covered his eyes with the back of his right hand and his fur was whipped around by the strong breeze coming from the craters center. Small debris pelted the Jiralhanae and the bright light died, and to his horror the Artifact was no more. This whole thing, all these lives, wasted for a complete failure. Garatus's whole body began to shake, his lip quivering as his eyes blazed and darted back and forth.

Garatus's face contorted into one of utter rage, he threw his head back and roared, a roar of shame and sorrow and so many other feelings. It was loud and long, like the heavy and continuous roll of a thunderclap. His face melted from rage to grief as he fell to his knees on the very lip of the crater, he held his face in his hands and cried. Failure was a horrid thing to know, and he knew it was all because of his people, the Jiralhanae. He knew they were power-hungry and many were non-believers, but this hunger blinded them and for this blindness a Holy Artifact of the Gods was destroyed.

Garatus wiped his face dry on his shoulder fur before composing himself and standing, the Humans were pulling out from combat and those Covenant warriors who could still remained composed enough fired at the UNSC retreat. Garatus channeled his rage, running forward and grabbing a Spike grenade from one of his subordinates belt. He ran hard and flicked the activator on the grenade, he put all of his built up momentum into his throw and the grenade went flying far. It landed between two stragglers and the rest of their group. The nearest one used his body to shield the other, the grenade exploding and and sending superheated metal spikes into his back. Bravery, it was one of the things these horrid little beasts always had, aside from cruelty. The surviving Human grabbed the other, dragging its dying comrade out of sight, if it survived Garatus hoped to get to finish the job at a later date.

The Covenant forces were regathering now, and Garatus mustered his Pack who in turn gathered the few remaining Jiralhanae betrayers. They marched the scum to the gathering point and waited with everyone else to hear the Field Masters words. Garatus stopped, and looked at Til, wondering how he felt on the inside. Did he feel as Garatus did? Or did he differently, or did he feel at all anymore after so many years of war? Garatus hoped Til could still feel, if not Garatus worried he would lose his feelings, his emotions, who he was. Garatus listened to Til's words and mulled over them as he and his Pack waited in a small building near everyone else. It was only one story tall and very open with sliding metal doors on each side, abandoned for awhile Garatus guessed from the dust layered inside and the paint symbols on the brick outsides. His Pack just laid about inside or around it in heaps, some climbed on top to take in the sunlight while prisoners huddled together and Garatus simply sat down and leaned back against the wall in complete silence.

[Faclan]

SSA-012 - Yanme'e Swarm
Re-grouping with those that remain.

The strong Swarm of twelve had been battered and cut down to just six before the final battle of Hope began. They did what they could to use their flight abilities to get into range to fire upon the Human before ducking down back into cover. But the Humans seemed to be expecting it as they were ready, two more of the Soldiers cut down as the battle raged. But a roar from The Master made them all immediately turn wings and flee. Which turned out to be a wise course of action as the site was bombarded again.

Like last time the Yanme'e were all stunned and tumbled down onto the remains of buildings or onto the ground after a barely controlled glide. Their weapons slipping from their limp claws as they tumbled and fell. Thankfully there was very little building left to fall on them this time and because it was a smaller impact they were able to recover much quicker. In time to get up and pull out their slowly warming up plasma weapons and spit a few rounds at the retreating Humans. But the battle was over. Hissing and clicking at the retreating shapes they holstered weapons and flew back to The Master and the re-grouping survivors. The Ultra perching on his shoulders as they survivors of the swarm landed beside The Master and waited. They wouldn't likely have any more orders for the mission and would just leave with the rest - but despair was starting to seep back as the adrenaline was gone and they could see, once more, that they were the only ones left.


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Failure...

Screeching in rage Cad sent burst after burst of his Needler toward the humans. The weapon was hard to aim with no tracking ability and trying to sight down the top of the weapon with bright pink rapidly moving needles was tricky at the best of time. the left sleeve of his shirt was getting pretty drenched in his own purple blood from his many large cuts as well. But he kept up the assault, not wanting to give in to flesh wounds when the Gods Artifact were at stake. But the Humans kept coming and Cad had to dive to the side, nearly landing on Eugines feet, to avoid a Human Grenade.

It was when he was getting up that the Field Master ordered them to fall back, immediately. Screeching again Cad scrambled back to his feet and turned to face the Humans again. He wouldn't leave, he would stand and hold the line. But as he tried to move out again, even though Pad, Kot, and Nas were falling back, he was grabbed around the armored collar by Eugine and half picked up half dragged back as he struggled to get back. But there was nothing he could do to get out of the Elders grip, he sure had one hell of a hold for one his age as the impacts struck the ground again. Being knocked flat as the world erupted. By the time the dust cleared and his hearing returned to some semblance to normal Cad tried to force himself back to his feet, his shield activating as he did so, and he quickly moved forward again as Eugine and his file tried to get back up.

Bursting through the remaining dust Cad stopped in his tracks when he saw the artifact was gone...reduced to smoldering pieces. Nearly dropping to his knees the small part of Cads rational mind still functioning made him keep his shield up as a few rounds pinged off it. The Artifact was gone, they had failed. Falling back to the remainder of the force Cad sunk down to his knees as the rest of the forces waited for extraction as he deactivate his shield and dropped his nearly spent Needler and just stared at the ground with his hands down there as well as he tried to pray for forgiveness for failure...Pad moving to his side as she tried to bandage his bleeding arm while Kot holstered his large Jiralhanae pistol across his back and looked over his own injuries with Nas.


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor and Mystic
Waiting for extraction and thinking of the future.

Keeping close to cover Eugie just focused in trying to suppress Humans or go for easy shots with his pistol as his aim wasn't as spectacular as some of his Nephews warriors. He, as well as the Pack seemed to do enough to keep the Humans pushed back for now, but the death screams of Covenant warriors were still all around, and their ammo wouldn't hold out forever. But he kept at it as best he could, luckily his bad arm where he had been shot had lost a bit of feeling in it from the injury all those years ago so he was able to fire without much distraction.

He looked up when he caught flares and didn't think much of them as that zealous little Kig-Yar dove behind cover with him, but when Til ordered them all to fall back he knew it must be bad. Grabbing the floor who seemed eager to crawl back to get a bullet in his beak he bolted back to behind some more substantial cover as the Artifact was completely destroyed. Eugine knew as soon as he saw the Humans leave that it was over, so, after reloading, he holstered his weapon and stood up. Hearing Tils little speech he nodded and retrieved his staff from his back and began to look around to find his Nephew, recording this failure would come later.

He soon found Garatus seated against a building in a state of depression as Eugine sighed a little and moved over to him but did not sit down as he nodded down at him. "Failure is a part of life," he started as he held out his good hand, the other holding his staff, to pull his Nephew back to his feet. "But we survive it, learn from it, and make sure it doesn't happen again. Remember that the traitorous Chieftain lies dead in this rubble and all we have is his helmet still. You may be the next leader of our forces in this crèche. A leader doesn't sit and become lost on the failure, they stand tall and show their troops that you are strong - so they can be strong to and move past this and into the future." With that done, and after Garatus was on his feet he nodded again, pleased his job was apparently done as he gestured to where Cad was kneeling but didn't say anything, his little speech should be enough.

[Huka]

Field Master Til Je'at Ra'ha 'Muramai
Outskirts of Refuge, Hope

The battle was a tilted draw...but failure was failure; to the soldiers, to their commanders, to the Covenant. The Sect of Lamenting Consecration have failed to collect a holy relic from the clutches of the Humans, whose foul sacrilege goes as so far as destroy a gift from the Gods themselves than let their rightful inheritors claim it. Tactically it was sound, spiritually...madness. However, Til was more shaken for the fact he've personally failed and had to sacrifice a holy relic to the life of his soldiers. Most would be grateful, the Zealous will condemn him to the bottom of their hearts for this betrayal. He will have to be careful or be forced to kill them on self-defense.

Coming to the outcropping of rocks, a Kig-yar sat in wait. His bulbous eyes watching the downed troops and knew they've failed the prime objective.

"I've done as you asked, Excellency." The avian hissed out with a curt bow despite his sitting position on a rock. Til nodded in approval and no voice left him for a moment before clearing his throat, "What is the fleet's status?"

"The fleet is mostly eradicated...as before. Only two corvettes and a cruiser left." The answer was but the Field Master didn't look in the least surprised anymore, at least a few survived. "The retrieval team is coming now."

"Good."

Now sooner have the two spoke of this, a Corvette was appearing through the cloud like a onimous chariot from the Gods. While not as splendid as the rescue on the insect-colonized planet, it was beautiful to look at nevertheless, already sending down phantoms to collect the lost unit.

***
Aboard Reverence-Class Cruiser CNV Harbinger of Absolution
En route to closest Covenant Ward Colony

::Before the Council of Masters::

"You have failed, Field Master. Plain and simple." The frontward Prophet of Recite concluded, finally taking his smoking pipe from his slim lips and tapped the charred ash into a waiting cup while his eyes stared at the Zealot before him like another soldier on the field. Dressed in dark green robes, complimented with swaying motifs of silver waves and Forerunner glyphs in each curved wave, and crowned by a jeweled tiara, the condemning San'Shyuum was highly-groomed and free of any sense of battle.

That was one of the things that most Sangheili secretly despised the other master species for. How dare they condemn the military heads of the Covenant for failure that was out of their control as if they were in the battle themselves. Til was experiencing this as well...and condemning his own self in the failure.

"Yes, Sire." The Field Master answered humbly with his eyes slightly angled down and bare-headed since wearing his new helmet wasn't proper of the meeting. "The Artifact was obliterated by the Enemy's destructive fire, it was nothing I could hinder..."

"Except for eradicating the humans in the first place." Recite intercepted. Til almost thought he saw a condescending smirk on the long-necked fool's lips but he remained stoic. "We couldn't focus on them with the Jiralhanae's attempted betrayal, your grace." The Sangheili retorted and glanced at the reminding few of the council; the Fleetmaster, a couple Sangheilian shipmasters and another, but younger, San'Shyuum who was served as an assistant for the first.

"I've read the reports but the end is the same. Reticent Lance will be punished severely for its recent failure and your clans will be reported of it." The despicable creature said and Til might would have killed him too if it wasn't the security cameras and others in the room.

When Recite moved to adjourn, the Fleetmaster suddenly interjected-much to the San'Shyuum's annoyance-with a deep clear of his throat, "But, all-wise Prophet, we both know of the reports of the duration of the Artifact's particular disadvantage that it gave to our warrior in enemy territory...you must acknowledge that the Humans are more resources and little tricks like this. To completely fault the Field Master for its destruction is double-edged."

Recite blinked once and looked at the gilded Zealot with a hint of contempt before sighing out in defeat, seeing any other way would seem...scandalous. "Very well, Field Marshal 'Katolai will receive the necessary medical needs, Field Master 'Xirsasai will remain in his designated quarters for the duration of the journey and you will receive the just punishment for your absolute failures whilst your sect remain on the coming world to meditate until the proceedings are done." With that, he quickly adjourned before anything else was likely to interrupt.

Til looked at the Fleetmaster at the corner of his eye, who clicked his upper mandibles and nodded in respect before his holographic twin vanished in a burst of stardust-like sparks, along with the Steward. Leaving just him and the young San'Shyuum. The two met eye-to-eye and the Zealot couldn't help but feel somewhat sad for the lad. It was very rare to see a younger member of the theological seers like him, no one really knew of the Prophet's life-cycles and private lives besides the Honor Guards, and even they were skeptical or sworn to secrecy. Unlike most, who were wizened and bowed, this young San'Shyuum was up-right and head standing on a slightly swooped neck while dressed in a plain white vest with close-sleeved robes and hooded head bearing a similar jeweled tiara as his superior.

Silent throughout the whole report and mock trial-as the Zealot knew-the San'Shyuum simply smiled after a long moment of thought and stood up the size of a smaller Sangheili with a slight lean on his thin fingers. "That was quite a tense meeting, Noble Zealot." He finally said with a soft, mellowed voice not yet harshened by political screams and uproars. Til blinked some, actually surprised he would be spoken too before giving a click of his lower mandibles "Some are more harsh and indifferent than others, young Lord."

The youngster smiled abit more, which kinda unsettled Til to be honest. "I agree. Sometimes the intolerance of failure is as fatal as failure I think we both would agree." He replied, coming around the long U-shaped table, revealing to be actually walking on the knuckles of his feet with the aid of some armor-like boots. This was one of the few times that the Zealot have seen that kind of humility amongst the San'Shyuum and it got him in the spirit every time.

"I would." Til finally answered, starting to walk down the slight platform, still weighted by the pressure of defeat and possible execution, or worse.

"Keep strong, 'Muramai. The Fleetmaster and I recognize you and your soldiers' strife and unwavering faith, I am sure the High Council will too..." The San'Shyuum said before disappearing behind a waiting door, flanked by the waiting pair of Honor Guard.

"The High Council..." Til repeated, he had a sense of wary dread about him. This day he feared and wished to only come to them in success. Later, he was walking out of the chamber to encounter such a familiar face, aged by time and mortality. "So how did it go?" Suf asked, leaning against the wall with his long arms crossed over his armored chest and quills quivering some in a calm blue hue. Til grunted and jerked his head as he kept walking with his old Kig-yar friend beside him.

"That bad, eh?" The former Mercenary, publically, queried. "Come now, 'Muramai. You've always had a charm with the Council before and I am sure your...usual benefactor will give a little club to the head." "I hope so, Suf. I rather like to keep my head for a few more rotations." Til retorted with a slight chuckle, letting him ease with the Shipmaster.

The two were silent along their walk through the cruiser, catching some faces of the Sect. Glancing over, the Field Master nodding to the respectable officers and soon coming to the side deck to see the stars warp around them in the slipspace's vortex through a viewscreen. "What are you going to do now?" The obvious question finally came.

Bowing his head for a moment, Til actually didn't think on that until now. Both eyes closed for a tick, he lifted it back up, "If everything goes well, I will restore everything we've lost since that accursed retrieval for the Imperial Admiral."

"And if not?" Suf dared with a Kig-yar equal of a challenging grin. Sometimes Til wanted to give break his beak for that old expression. Still as condescending galactic-wise as ever.

"Then I pray that the next commanders are more worthy of leading the next chosen sect and destroy our interceptors once and for all." The two could hear the approaching guards now, time to meet with the face of the Hierarchy once more. "Watch over them, Suf." 

"Of course."

(Incoming M7 Intermission: Warded Sect) 

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
W.I.A

"He's been administered some powerful sedatives, and he's also got morphine in his veins sir. Your son will be okay, and so will the young officer we found with him. A few milimeters to the left and your son would have died a long time ago. It just missed the femoral artery." The Corpsman said, lifting the Colonel's unconcious son into the pelican. The troop transport was loaded and ready to dust off, "You can come with us, sir."

John shook his head, "First one in, last one out." He said. He refused to leave any one still breathing behind. He had already ordered ODST's and healthy Marines to start digging up the corpses from collapsed buildings in search for survivors. The Covenant had appeared to retreat and soon slithered out of sight from the Marines doing forward recon.

"Understood, sir." The Corpsman said. A Sergeant next to the hatch tapped twice on the door and the ramp started to close. Soon enough, the bird was airborne. John, at this particular time, had a radio - a working one - on his person and he planned to use it. No more sending messages through his neural interface. While useful, it was tiring to compose messages at that frequency.

"Romeo Actual, Guardian Actual. What is the sitrep of the collapsed office building?" John asked. It was the last building in the area to be scanned, and the UNSC didn't have the time to search the entire city. The Iowa had also survived the battle but with apparently significant damage. Another ship was also in orbit with her, but John had forgotten the name in the hurry to dig out his son.

"Sir, it's a mess. We hear people, but we can't get to them. I fear if we shift the wrong piece of debris it'll collapse and kill them anyways." The Captain responded. He was one of many ODST's that had landed when electronics were restored. His company was digging out who ever they could get. John was satisfied with the effort. They had already saved two kids and a family from a security shelter the UNSC Army used during the initial fighting for the city.

"Keep it up, Captain. You're doing good. Out." John replied, scanning the area for any more civilians. Another pelican lifted off gently, rotated and calmly rose towards the awaiting UNSC ships in orbit. They'd stay for another hour or so before he'd give the order to pull out. Obviously, with the planet ultimately saved, the UNSC Army in other regions could pull in and start repairing the mess.

"We may have forced them back," John said aloud to himself. "Fifty percent of the Seventh Marines are either MIA or KIA, the UNSC Army in this region suffered eighty percent casualties - most KIA and I'm not even going to start considering the millions of human lives that died during the past couple of days of fighting here." John muttered as he read a report on a tactical pad. "I wouldn't call this a victory."

John put the tactical pad away and clasped his hands together, rubbing away the grim and dirt that had practically glued itself to his skin. Eventually, the mud peeled away, but with every piece that fell it reminded him of all the Marines he wouldn't see again. A tear ran down his cheek but he forced himself to remain strong. His father taught him it was okay to cry.

"My men died and I didn't," John said under his breath. "I owe them more." I know I do.

(( OOC: If any UNSC PC wants to post before the mission end, now is the time to do it. It's mainly pulling back to the UNSC ships still in orbit and leaving, but there could be some character interaction left someone would like to finish up with another PC. ))

[Cabel]

[City of Refuge: Captain Mark “Spade” Seamus Sorelson: Seventh Marines: Alpha Company: With Survivors: Current Situation: Being loaded onto an MedEVAC Pelican]

“Seems I missed the fun…whatever you gave me, Doc, give me another,” Mark chuckled softly having slowly come to from his sedative induced rest. Two of the firefighters carefully hefted the stretcher carrying the injured marine Captain aboard one of the pelicans that had been called in by the surviving ground units, and within only a few feet of the pelican’s lowered ramp leading to the blood-tray Mark had come to.

“A whiskey on the rocks doesn’t compare to how good that…whatever it was you gave me feels. Now, if we could only give the Covenant this stuff we wouldn’t have to worry about further hostilities…” Mark managed to say, trailing off as his stretcher was hooked securely within the pelican’s blood-tray. “Could you ask the pilot to switch on the radio to that Old Time Rock and Roll?”

[Wax™]

Triple Jay 

Second Lieutenant 

Tired - Alone - Broken 

Jay's eye's cracked open a small amount as thing rays of sunshine blasted into his face from just over the peak of the parking garage building outside. Closing his eye's for a second more before opening them up again, Jay lifted himself up with a grunt, but happened to slam his head into the bottom of an office desk. Grunting at the soft force of the hit, Jay shot his right hand up to rub at the top of his skull where he just hit his head, whilst his second hand pushed down against the ground to support himself on his knee's as he dragged himself out from underneath the desk.

For a few seconds Jay had forgotten where he was an all about the war and Battle for Refuge. Jay lean't forward and pushed himself up off the ground with the help of the desk beside him for support. Everywhere on his being hurt, especially Jay's face. Jay's nose and the skin above both his cheek bones were split, although he didn't know, his entire face was covered in dried blood. Along with the majority of his uniform. Looking around for his a weapon of any sort he spotted his M6C/SOCOM sitting on the top of the table he had slept under, along with three magazines and a canteen of water. Jay must have done a inventory check last-night before dozing off.

"Fuck..." Jay moaned before doubling over and resting his arms on the table, it took him a few moments but once he realized he wasn't alone in the building, he shot his head right up. "KYLE!" He screamed out before taking his M6C/SOCOM and ammunition, as well as the canteen and making for the stair-well to the upper levels.

Jay walked with a limp and he had to use his free hand to grab at his side, he must have fractured a few ribs when he fell from the story above. Stepping into the stairwell, the area was relatively intact which was good for Jay. Making it easier to reach the floor above, once he was there he stepped through the square arch where the door used to be and instantly looked around before shouting again.

"Kyle!?"

Going to take a lap around the floor he spotted Kyle after taking several steps away from the stairwell, he moved next to his friend and took a knee, assessing the damage. His friend's leg was pinned underneath some concrete and there was a fair amount of blood around his being. Noticing he was already conscious Jay had to bend down and give the other man a soft "man-hug".

"Dude... You're alive... Here!" He said, bending around with a grunt and removing the canteen he had re-attached to his webbing, handing it over to Kyle, still unaware that his own face was stained with dried blood.

[BetaWülf]

Unggoy Major Dakek

Dakek had valiantly lead his tricycle riding Unggoy into battle once some of the Sangheili had rushed into the thick of things(no need for them to get blown to bits while others weren't at the front yet). They topped the edge(having some trouble peddling uphill) and fired their needlers and stabbed with their spears, while some simply hurled rocks at their enemies. Dakek was fighting as best he could, when a bullet ripped towards him, grazing the top of his head, leaving a small trench in his chitin and causing it to crack outwards in several places. Dakek(while distracted by his wound), in all his glory had never expected for the next thing to happen so early in his life.

Dakek screamed in agony as the most terrible experience of his life occurred, a Human had leapt onto his back... and stabbed him in the temple. The spasms of Dakek's body knocked the Human soldier away, who was then impaled by Talnay, Dakek's fellow File member and proud Sangheili warrior. After the explosion and destruction of the artifact Talnay scrambled from where he was thrown over to Dakek's still body, bright blue blood covering his face. Talnay lifted Dakek from the ground, cradling Dakek in his arms before roaring into the air in despair. Talnay gathered with the other Covenant soldiers once the Humans had departed and carried Dakek in his arms still.

"May you walk the path, brother" Talnay said as he held Dakek in his arms.

"What are you talking about?" another Sangheili said, an Ultra, "He is still alive you fool!" the Ultra finished before pointing towards where the healers could be found without prompting.

Talnay rushed Dakek over and waited with him as the healers did what they could but ultimately said there was little they could do but ease his passing. Talnay refused to accept this and sought others out, but still no one believed he could be saved. That is, until a somewhat shifty Kig-yar approached Talnay.

"I know someone who could help your friend there... for a price" the Kig-yar said with an almost malicious and definitely greedy gleam in his eyes.

"Where can I find them" Talnay said with a disgusted expression on his face.

"On an asteroid colony, not too far out of your way I would guess" the Kig-yar said, licking its beak.

"Then that is where I will go" Talnay said, storming off towards the arriving phantoms with Dakek still held in his arms and the Kig-yar skipping behind him.

Talnay knew that this little expedition he was about to embark on would most likely be perilous and possibly pointless, but he felt he owed Dakek this much at least as he was one of Talnay's only true friends(though Talnay thought of Major Ra'ab similarly).

(OOC Note: Unggoy Major Dakek is heavily wounded, cracked head chitin from a grazing bullet and a knife is protruding from the left hemisphere of his brain, which will effect his reasoning, speaking and critical thinking. Not to mention the experimentation he will likely be subjected to by the Kig-yar in the near future. Dakek is traumatically injured but still alive.)


Jiralhanae Captain Garatus

Garatus looked up at his uncle, tears were welled in his eyes as he listened to his uncles words. Eugenius was wise, wise and kind, and knew what was needed to be said and when to say it. Garatus took hold of his uncles good hand and pulled himself up, but before he would move on he pulled his uncle into a small hug and whispered "thank you" into his ear. Garatus looked to poor Cad as he knelt there, but Garatus didn't know if there was anything to be said that could help him if Eugenius's words didn't reach him, Garatus hoped they had but had to deal attend to his own soldiers first.

Garatus barked in their native tongue and they slowly assembled as Phantoms approached to retrieve them from this hellish place. The first Phantom lowered and Garatus helped to load the injured in, followed by the weak then eventually the more able bodied. As the last Phantom for his Pack lowered Garatus clambered in and slumped into one of the seats and allowed himself some rest, but refused to relax until he saw every one of his Pack seen to.

Later, shipside:

Garatus had spent hours seeing to it that all of his Pack was seen to, and after all that time he finally got the chance to relax as he was told to get some rest for himself. Of course, he went to his quarters, but didn't go to sleep. He sat in the darkness, the only light coming from a small wall monitor screen he was using to record a message. The message was to his wife and son. He sat in silence for a long time, mulling over what to say and what to exclude, if only for his mates sake as she worried terribly for him, as he did for everyday he was away from her. He sighed and wiped a tired tear from his eye before turning to face the monitor.

"I got your message last week," he said trying to hide how tired he was,"I cant believe how big Fenarius is getting, our cub is growing so fast. His spots are fading even you said? Oh by the Gods I wish I was there with you two... I... I'm... I'm missing the best years of my life, being away, it kills me you know. Every time I wake, I wake from dreaming about being home. Last night I dreamt of the time in Orchards, when the mating season was in its height and the flowers were in bloom" he said passing his hand over his tired face before he perked up a bit.

"Remember... remember how beautiful the moon was that night? The way it wreathed your fur in silver, that, that was the moment I knew that I had found the one I love. I miss you, both of you," Garatus said covering his face in one paw, stifling a tear filled rumble, "Stay strong Jornarus, I love you. And tell Fenarius, tell him I have something for him when I come home, I hope to hear from you soon" Garatus said, pressing a button and ending the message. He sent it out as he ran his fingers over the wooden hammer he had been carving for his son, Garatus sighed before turning the monitor off and being in complete darkness as he slowly fell into a restful sleep.

[Frazer]

Mission 6 has officially ENDED. Click here for the intermission for the UNSC or for the Covenant (Coming Soon).

End of Mission Report for Both Sides:

UNSC Side:

UNSC Objectives:

-Reach the Rally Point or if the Rally Point isn't able to be reached, an auxiliary site. (C)

-Regroup the survivors, and assess who they have with what kind of equipment. (C)

-Distribute the available equipment, ammunition and rations as needed while keeping a central stock (F)

-Hunker down in a defensive position if possible (F)

-Send out scouts or patrols to learn the location of the artifact/EMP and figure out a means to keep the Covenant busy or observe from afar. (C)

Optional Objectives:

-Regain communications with orbital assets, if possible. (C)

-Mount a counteroffensive against the Covenant (C)

Ending UNSC Military Strength:

Vessels in Orbit (22nd Fleet):

2 Cruisers 

Vessels near the region (14th Tactical Fleet):
1 Cruiser
1 Carrier
2 Frigates

Ground Forces:

7th Marines - 100-150 Marines & ODSTs

UNSC Amry - 25-30 

NavSpecWep - (3)

With the near destruction of Hope's military garrison, the devastation of the 14th and 22nd Tactical Fleets and the annihilation of the 7th Marines the UNSC deemed this a Pyrrhic victory due to the destruction of the Forerunner Artifact, but a strategical and tactical defeat.

Covenant Side:

Covenant Objectives:

-Defend the Artifact at all costs until it can be extracted (F)

-Determine a method of regaining contract with the Battlenet and the incoming fleet (S)

-Regain order (S) 

Optional Objectives: 

-Determine a method of deactivating the artifact without harming it (F)

-Prevent the Humans from reorganizing (F) 

Ending Covenant Military Strength: 

Vessels: 

1 Reverence-class Cruiser

2 Corvettes 

Ground Forces: 

Reticent Strike Team (Field Marshal R'ha 'Katolai recovered by Kig-yar Search Lances) 

Covenant Vanguard (150) 

Jiralhanae (50)