Unit Mission I: Redeeming Vigilance

[BetaWülf]

T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.
New allies.

Roh and his soldiers stalked out of the tall bushes and into some larger rocks, the large footprints of the Sangheili relatively fresh. The boot prints were either bare or non-standard, the Heretics had gone this way and would lead them to the rest of their forces. Roh shot down a lone Heretic Unggoy as they went before Del hopped up onto a boulder and stopped to look out into the distance, signaling with her hand she saw something. Roh jumped up to stand next to Del and soon spotted what she had seen, some Kig-yar were standing about and Roh recognized from their uniforms and weaponry that they weren't the enemy. Roh hopped down from the boulder and started down the hill towards them with his band of cutthroats close behind, soon enough they were walking out of the cover of the large rocks and into the view of the common folk.

Roh nodded to the lead Kig-yar as the common breed stopped a respectful distance from Roh and his troop."Greetings Cad, I am Roh Gel. Feel free to join us, the more there are the stronger we are" Roh said with a respectful nod to Cad.


Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps.

Garatus nodded to Karonus as he jogged along beside his brother on the Chopper, Karonus was wise for his young age which Garatus found refreshing even though he would expect such intelligence from one of his close kin. "I have faith that you will, brother. One day, we'll have our own ships again and superior weaponry like the days of old when we had our own mighty Empire" Garatus said. The Chieftain was roused from thoughts of Jiralhanae history when his Uncles voice sounded in his ear.

"A wise suggestion Uncle, we don't want to get caught with our fur parted* in an ambush. Perhaps sending some of the mounted Pack on either side of the main force so we can catch them in a crossfire or at the very least keep them from doing the same to us. I'm open to any suggestions Eugenius, Karonus" Garatus said as he thought out more possible plans or counters to enemy attacks.

[Kart]

Field Master Legra 'Adantai
Pursuing the Heretics

“Let us clear this field and the path beyond on our enemies’ blood, Field Master and let them all know the bones and talons of 'Adant might!”

The young Major spoke like a true warrior--but it was one thing to speak like one, and another to act like one. Not that Legra doubted him--if he truly was of the 'Adant, he would relish the battle to come. He smiled slightly, recognizing the younger Sangheili's courage, before turning his attention to the rest of his Sect. Raising his Plasma Rifle up high, he bellowed majestically, speaking without words. The command was obvious.

Hunt.

Responding in kind, the other soldiers comprising the Covenant's flank charged forward. A smattering of vehicles hummed over the earth, kicking up clouds alongside the numerous pounding feet and hooves. Leading the charge, Legra strode forward, not quite at a run, but eating up the distance between him and the fleeing Heretic lines in long strides. With his bodyguard lance hard on his heels, he beckoned the other Sangheili to follow him.

The bluffs of the plateau's edge were funneling the larger Covenant force into a difficult position--even though they outnumbered the heretics, if they pressed on, they would be forced to fight them on equal terms, without the advantages of flanking and crossfire. Some part of Legra considered the situation for a moment, fully aware that he was about to lead his Sect into a strategic disadvantage. He realized that a wiser strategist would never do what he was about to, but he saw no other option.

Clenching his mandibles, he opened fire with his Plasma Rifle, not really intending to hit anything, but to discourage any heretics from his way. He dimly made out a few Sangheili traitors turning around to return fire. Apparently, even they still have a Sangheili's courage.

However, here, that only means that they will be the first to die.

Following suit, the vanguard of the Covenant opened fire. The sheer overwhelming number of them, armed with Pistols and Rifles and Needlers, meant that the first line of heretics fell nearly instantaneously. But farther into the plateaus' staggered terrain, pockets of heretics had managed to entrench themselves.

Legra noted when they had stopped retreating, apparently deciding that it was better to stand and fight than to run and die. It only makes sense, he thought. Even with their general's death, they know that surrender will win them nothing. The Hierarchs will have no mercy on them--and neither shall we.

[Remnant]

Resku 'Verekee
Planning

"What's our next move, sir?" The Major heard Sheng ask. Looking up into the sky for a moment, and then back down towards Sheng, he spoke. "I'm not quite sure yet. No recent orders have been given out yet. For now, we advance on the retreating Heretics. Behind the Hill is a deep crevice that we can walk through to easily get to our destination, but we'll be suseptible to ambush. But I have no doubt that we'll endure through it. The best of the best is in this Lance, as far as I'm aware." Resku said with pride, as he began to walk around the Hill with most of the Lance following him.

[Arbiter124]

Sheng 'Muramai
Minor Domo

Sheng just looked on as his Lance Commander sauntered off towards the edge of the canyon. He stood there for a moment, looking down at the rifle he was just given. It looked in fair condition. The Minor popped out the battery cartridge, looking it over. The steel cylinder had flourescent streaks of white and blue running through it, and the Minor made a guess that it was at a good percentage. 

Shoving it back into the weapon, he walked forward, only taking a few long strides before he was back with the group. They were all looking over the edge of the canyon. Vral bumped Sheng with his shoulder.

"You go first, Sheng."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because my brothers would care if I slipped and fell scaling down a canyon." He shot back, with a smug look on his face. Something almost snapped inside of Sheng, but as much as he wanted to grab the halfwit by his neck and toss him off the side of the mountain, he knew he couldn't. Instead, he looked away from Vral, and knelt down, slowly extending his leg and placing it on a piece of stone that jutted out, barely big enough to fit half of his foot. 

Sheng's heart dropped. He didn't realize he had an issue with heights until this moment. He felt a shudder of fear creep along his back and shoulders. 

Sheng was not a coward, though.

The Sangheili slid his repeater over to Kera. "Hold this for me." Sheng said, before slipping his other leg over the edge, planting his hoof on another piece of stone that stretched out past the canyon's wall. He slowly turned himself around so he was facing the wall of the canyon, and he held it with both hands. He could already feel himself sailing downward to his impending doom.

Stay focused. 

Sheng lowered himself further, his legs slowly scaling down to more firm overhangs as his hands replaced the area where his boots were. He repeated this process over and over, for what seemed like hours, until he was sure he would hit the ground any second.

"Faster, Sheng."

The Minor raised his head to see Vral looking over him, not five yards away.

He was no where near down. The Minor needed to see how much longer this would take, but he felt uneasy at the thought of seeing the ground so high up. Instead, the minor swallowed the ever growing amount of saliva in his mouth and continued downward.

CRACK!

The Minor felt himself plunge down, and he let out a deep wail of fear and anger. He reached out wildly, desperate to find something to stop what would have inevitably been his death.

The Sangheili grabbed hold of another extension of rock with his right hand. His fall stopped suddenly, but now he was dangling, swinging back and forth like some sort of pendulum. He howled out, his clawed hooves kicking wildly for something to balance against, so he could regain control.

Nothing.

The Elite growled to himself. He looked up as he dangled. He was around fifty feet away from the top, where Vral just looked at him with an arrogant grin.

The Minor kept swinging back and forth, desperate to find away to save himself from falling farther downwards into the abyss.

[BasedGoody]

Kig-Yar Sniper Web

Canyon

Tuk walked towards the edge of the canyon, musing at the distance. She mumbled to herself and shook her head. Web walked over and looked down the side. It was a long, long way down. The jagged walls made it look like a suicidal mission to scale it. These Kig-Yar were not as endowed as their cousin species in terms of movement, but they were not bad. Web motioned for Jub and Tid to come over. The two casually walked towards him.

"Anyone volunteer?" Tuk sneered. Jub made a beaky smirk and placed her Needle Rifle on her back and placed her foot on the ledge, looking over. Without words, she stepped over. In one motion the Sniper spun and latched onto the canyon's edge. Slowly she dropped down to another rock, moving carefully to avoid misstep. Tuk narrowed her eyes and exhaled, before performing the same maneuver. Web elbowed his spotter, Tid, and flicked his head over to an area that seemed easier to scale.

The pair navigated their way down the incline with great precision, bad footing at any point could lead to death. Tid moved behind Web, mimicking his every pattern and move. The Sniper dropped down from ledge to ledge, swapping speed for common sense. He looked to the left to see his other companions giving up their competition and moving at a slower pace. So far, so good.

CRACK

Web's eyes widened and his head swiveled to look for the source of the noise. Below him, a Sangheili fell from his perch and down the canyon. He barely snagged an overhang to latch on to. Tid had a worried expression on his face, but Web shot him a look to assure him that Sangheili could handle themselves.

Even so, the two headed down a little more cautious. These rocks were apparently loose. The last thing Web wanted was for his file to be endangered. Jub and Tuk had closed the distance between the pairs. The sniper acknowledged their presence with a look towards them and led the group further.

[Arbiter124]

Sheng 'Muramai
Minor Domo

The Sangheili's grip was loosening. If he fell, he would not get as lucky as he just did. His grapple onto this rock was a gift from the gods, no doubt, and Sheng would not take it for granted.

With his left hand, the Minor Domo clawed at the wall. His sharp fingers made indented lines in the side of the canyon, slowing the Minor's swinging. He used his two powerful legs to plant himself against the wall. His two hooves skid across the side of the canyon, kicking up dirt and dust that loosely hung on. He finally came to a stop, sweating. 

"Now that that's over with..."

The Sangheili looked straight down, and saw his safe haven. A small ridgeline jutting out of the wall, only twenty feet down. Sheng saw his only chance at regaining complete control of the situation. The ridge looked large and wide enough to fit him, but only barely. No matter, it was his only chance.

Sheng let go of the overhang. 

The Sangheili fell faster than he could have ever imagined. He saw the wall's small cracks and details fly up in a blurred motions, before they came to a complete stop. His legs buckled, and he fell onto his ass, then his back. He let out a grunt before his shoulder flipped over the side, taking him with his. The Minor cried out, before shooting his hand out once again. He caught the ledge, his clawed hand scraping along the ridgeline both finally bringing him to a stop. Once again, the Sangheili was left dangling.

"Shit!" Sheng snarled, as pebbles fell from the ridge, bouncing off of his blue shoulderplates and helmet before falling back down to earth, one thousand or so feet down. The Minor gulped, reaching out his other arm. He held onto the ledge with both hands, and easily pulled himself back on. He spun around and sat down looking up towards the clear sky and closing his eyes.

His muscles were tense, and he was shaking badly. Above him one hundred or so feet, he heard Vral and the others discussing if they shall continue to scale the cliff, or abandon the idea.

Sheng just sat there, breathing heavily and shaking.

He looked down towards the ground, still panting.

The Minor got up into a kneeling position. He could keep scaling this way, there seemed to enough jutted rocks along the canyon's wall to assist his descent. It would be quite the test to keep scaling nine hundred or more feet, but he got this far, and climbing up would no doubt be more of a challenge than continuing down.

So Sheng continued his descent.

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Chieftain aide and mystic
Speedy barrage?

Humming in response to the question of strategy Eugine stood up as best he could on the side of the Prowler he was on and looked at the force they had. There were a good amount of choppers with their large but heavy cannons and a good few prowlers too with their more accurate ones. Perhaps they could set up a crossfire as Garatus suggested, try to hit the heretics from all sides?

"I like the sound of a crossfire; the prowlers should be the middle lane, hanging back with their more accurate plasma cannons while our prowlers split into two teams to flank the left and right. Perhaps start by hanging back as well so we can all soften them up with the plasma cannon prowlers and auto-cannons of the choppers. Before we think it safe enough to charge in and give our vehicles a new splash of purple paint." Humming some more he tried to think of another plan that may work.

"Or we could try to set some vehicles on auto, with a weight on the accelerator or something, to draw their fire before we rush into their side full force. Try to shatter them in one fell swoop." Sitting back on the side of the chopper he made sure his staff was still secure in a nook on the vehicle so he could still hold on, sort of, with his bad hand and hold the radio with his good hand. Eugine feeling exhilarated to be back on a proper battlefield again.


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Gel....Geeeeel...

Pleasantly surprised that the T'vaoan accepted them as lance members, as in his previous experiences the T'vaoan often saw the more common Kig-Yar of beneath their time, Cad was about to retrieve his Needler from where he had holstered it before he stopped. Gel...where had he hard that before? Humming a bit as he looked Roh up and down once he ehhed as he tried to remember the name. "Gel...heard that before in this Sect..." But before he could get much further into his line of questioning a Needle bounced off his thankfully still active red shield and just narrowly missed nailing Pad. Quickly leaping and crouching down in front of Roh he pointed in the direction of the shot he spotted at least three Kig-Yar with needle rifles taking aim at them. Apparently they didn't heed the Sangheili commanders retreat. Growling a bit he nodded back at Roh as his file quickly moved into a defensive position and started to advance.

"I'm sure they will have some info for us Roh." He clicked out as he fired a few Needles high, mostly just to keep their heads down so his file could more easily advance and Roh could do the flanking that the T'vaoan were known for. Especially if the enemy Kigs started to try and flee, which Cad suspected they would once the T'vaoans broke from the shield wall. "Advance before they can run!" He added as an afterthought to his previous order as they moved toward the small hill were the Kigs were.

[BasedGoody]

Kig-Yar Sniper Web    

Canyon

Web and Tuk stood upon the same overhang, surveying their position. Behind them Jub and Tid awaited orders on another platform. Web found what he was looking for a small ridgeline to shimmy across. It led to an outcropping of rocks that would be easy to scale down. They would have to split up once they got their, but that wouldn't be a bad thing. Sticking together can create many risks and they didn't have any room for error. Web exhaled deeply and leapt off his position, snagging the ridge with his birdlike fingers. His head snapped to Tuk who seemed to understand it was her turn next. Web moved over to the side to give her room to jump.

"Any day now." Jub snapped from behind. It was in a playful manner, but anything said by Jub was immediately taken too far by Tuk. She almost took this war as a competition. The spotter immediately, and somewhat gracefully, landed the leap and hung on next to Web. From behind the other two swapped position onto Web's old rock and awaited him to continue with the plan.

"From here we move to that grouping of rocks, and split up from there." The sniper instructed before moving on.

"Whatever you say, boss." Tuk smiled hollowly. Web ignored it while slowly and cautiously heading towards his destination. When he reached it he grabbed on to a sturdy rock and placed his foot in an indent. The sniper turned to his file. They appeared to be following suit. Web scaled down the cliff with the rest behind.

[Vertickly]

Minor Marglurum
Advancing on the Heretics...


Marglurum and his brothers roared for the speech given by their Chieftain. Tomanun his major, looked at each of them and smiled, "Let's kill'em one by one!" Marglurum and his brothers Fantun and Goleeum roared with excitement being given the chance to wipe out their enemies. They began charging forward with their brothers keeping pace, making sure never to fall behind the pack. They were near the front but wanted to save energy for the fight ahead. They are a smart bunch. A great team to be in and to have fight by your side.

With the pack charging all at once it seemed the ground was shaking. This made Marglurum excited all the more, heading into his first big fight. Physically he was prepared, mentally, he was focused on the mission and ready to kill any enemy that he finds in his way. Over and over in his head he thought of what he had learned growing up, how to fight and take down opponents that were bigger then him, or even faster. He felt he was ready, nay he knows he is ready for this fight. 

[Remnant]

Resku 'Verekee
Cheater's Way Out

Resku smirked as he watched his Lance climb down the canyon. Taking advantage of his physiology, he extended his claws. They were longer, larger, and more resilent than an average Sangheili's claws, because he was born in the Vere clan, a subspecies of Sangheili.

He climbed down the edge and stabbed his claws into the rock, and began scaling down the easier way. Halfway down, he met the others, and even saw a few Kig-Yar trying to climb down the Canyon. As he scaled pass Sheng, he smirked at him, chuckling on how he was the only one in the Lance who could climb down so easy.

But then his luck ran out. His claws slipped out of the rock and he fell onto a large platform sticking out of the canyon wall, about 20 feet from him. It was, width-wise, large enough to fit him, but, length-wise, too small to support his weight. Not only did the impact break Resku's protective shields, but the Platform began to crack and split once Resku fell onto it.

The platform finally fell apart, and Resku went tumbling into a very obvious fall. In an attempt to save himself, he jabbed his claws into the canyon wall, slicing a deep crevice into it as he slowly skid to a stop. He looked above him. The giant cut ran about 7 feet down, and was deep enough to fit a small snake into it.

Sighing, he looked down. He was about 150 feet down the canyon. This is going to be a long trip... He thought, looking at the deep chasm as he continued scaling, this time more cautious.

Karonus
Need For Speed

"I like the sound of a crossfire; the prowlers should be the middle lane, hanging back with their more accurate plasma cannons while our choppers split into two teams to flank the left and right. Perhaps start by hanging back as well so we can all soften them up with the plasma cannon prowlers and auto-cannons of the choppers. Before we think it safe enough to charge in and give our vehicles a new splash of purple paint."

Karonus looked at Garatus. "I like the sound of that. Though, to add on, we should have the prowlers and choppers do a few sweeps before allowing the main force to finish the decimated Heretics. A few good swoops would distract the Heretics from the main force, and considering our mounted advantage, they'll be weakened to the point that the main form can just trample over them. If I may, brother, I'd like to lead this mounted assault." Karonus said as he revved the Chopper with a fanged, eager smirk.

[Arbiter124]

Sheng 'Muramai
Minor Domo

Sheng kept scaling the wall, but sweat was affecting his descent. His worry of falling was stressing him out, and beads of sweat started forming on head, neck, and hands. The sweat was affecting his traction. It wouldn't be long before he fell, and he still had a couple hundred feet to go. 

And even then, what was he to do then? Advance through the canyon?

The Minor began to question the motives of the Major. What type of plan was this? No, no. The Major was the commander, and he was to do as he said unless it was completely suicidal. He needed to focus on the task at hand anyway, not to break his spine on a fall to hell. He continued to progress down, his hooves latching on to any rock under him he could find. He noticed that now that he was a good four hundred or so feet down, there were plenty more rocks.

He needed a ledge, or something, to rest in, or he was going to fall.

The minor glanced downward, to see another ledge, at least two hundred more feet down. He had to make it there, and once he did he could regroup his thoughts and finish off his little journey.

"Holding on there, Sheng?" A voice from above him boomed. The Minor focused on planting his right foot on another overhang before even thinking about looking up towards the sky. But when he did, sure enough there was Vral, smirking at him twenty or so feet above him. Sheng let out an animalistic snarl, to which Vral laughed, and continued climbing.

He would see how much Vral taunted him when he was in his reach.

[Huka]

Security Master Lun of the Burning Lineage
Clear the Deck and keep the Ship

Lun was, needlessly to say, proud to see the crew fight so fierce and rabidly at the enemy in good coordination that he worked hard to drill into them working with the new Cell’s gloriously merciless mercs. There were a few dead ones in his training but it was worth it; Kig-yar were using their natural attributes and cunning to the most in their familiar environment, tearing at the Unggoy like melon-skinned meals and use teamwork, hard hits and foul play to hinder the Sangheili. There was a certain pleasure in legally killing a Sangheili; they were born and practically bred for war, every second of their life was for preparation of it. Some were more weaker than others, few were ‘outside of the loop’ but their culture demanded martial perfection to a near fault.

Fighting one of them was needless to say a perfect suicide, especially upfront. So...there are other ways; playing with their honor, poisons, sniping, traps, explosives, distractions, etc. Unless they are Special Ops or worse...

Pulling a plasma grenade from his belt’s back pouch, the former Commando hissed out to his camouflaged lance and hurled his signal across the deck under the feet of boarding rangers. A second too late for them to change their course, the explosion of ionized gases tore three Unggoy apart, sent the Sangheili officer flying over the ledge with a damaged jetpack, and maimed the last gas-sucker with methane just hissing out of a puncture.

In response, three lances of Suf’s commandos materialized from their perches with focus and particle beam rifles, unleashing criss-crossing beams of Covenant firepower upon their heretical foes with bloodthirsty cackles.

The invading force seemed keen to warn their brothers of the vicious dangers but such a luxury wasn’t going to happen aboard a Kig-yar ship. Communications were expertly blocked and left future lances ignorant of the death warrant waiting on them. “Alright, Champion. Can you handle spearheading the counter-boarding?” He questioned through their channel towards Suf’s new pet with teasing mockery.

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai
Ending the First Strike...

With a firm swat of his energy sword, Til sent a young Sangheili flying off his feet in a near bisection before shooting a couple Unggoy dead with his off-hand plasma rifle. The advance sect surrounded the remaining enemy into a pure killzone as he recall the humans would refer it as.

A handful of Sangheili officers of majors and minor with the multitude of Kig-yar and Unggoy, despair written on their body language while still defiant in their faces. Clipping his firearm to his thigh’s magnet holster, the Field Marshal stepped forward to catch his enemy’s view. Cloak fluttering in the soft wind, the familiar stench of plasma-scorched bodies and death did little to pass through his filters. Flashbacks of his youth returning to tragic memory, the soft music of battle-drums starting to play in the back of his head. Inhaling slowly, Til closed his eyes for the briefest of moments and opened again to bring himself to do this:

“You’ve fought well but the grace of the Gods have touched our shoulders and blades on this day. Know that you will die a warrior’s death and will not be forgotten...in a less than positive light. Your fears are just but like the last, your ways and path is not. And like Them, you will be scorched away into nothing but atoms and foul memory. May your Clans find better mercy of your individual failing than we administrate.”

With that, he gave a signal in the form of a sword’s salute before a hail of plasma on all sides ended the remaining soldiers. Staring without pity or remorse, Til watched as the Unggoy and Kig-yar were struck down first, the plasma eating away at their frail bodies like insects to the scorching touch of the sun while the Sangheili were stronger and enduring greater pain of having their shields and armor boil away first before the cleansing fire ended their defying roars and screams.

By the rook, it was all over for this entry stage...finally. The heretics were fighting hardly than he thought and it took much longer than he hoped.

Breathing out the Final Rite, Til lowered his shoulders in a sign of relaxed posture before waving his sword slightly while accessing the Battlenet, “All soldiers form up, return to your assigned creches and report of any losses. Phantoms prepare to drop our light armor assets and quick heavy lances, the heretics’ forward base are augmented with anti-air cannons and we need speed to conquer it.” He ordered, already on the move for the next part of their assault; gain the command post as their own!

“Zealots on me!”

[Kart]

Field Master Legra 'Adantai
Heeding the call

He had begun to be bored by the slaughter.

That's what it was--it wasn't a hunt, nor a battle. The enemy were so fully outclassed, outgunned, and outnumbered by Legra's Sect that there was no contest. He no longer felt the pulsating adrenaline that made battle tolerable. Instead, he was simply left with the gruesome task of killing those that had given up on life.

So it was with some relief that he listened to the command that rang out on the battlenet.

“All soldiers form up, return to your assigned creches and report of any losses. Phantoms prepare to drop our light armor assets and quick heavy lances, the heretics’ forward base are augmented with anti-air cannons and we need speed to conquer it.”

Legra smiled, appreciating the bold move. The plateau was not yet cleared of Heretic forces, but their defenses were softened enough that a single, swift stroke would bring down their base. And once that task was done, it would simply be a matter of mopping up. It was somewhat of an unconventional move, but Legra was capable of understanding and valuing clever tactics...however much difficulty he may have had with formulating clever tactics on his own.

He was rather surprised by the next command, though.

“Zealots on me!”

...there was no mistaking the surety of Til's voice. But was it truly wise to pull the Zealots from their positions of command, and cluster them all in one place? No matter, he thought. So I was commanded, and so shall I obey. He signaled on his battlenet for his personal Phantom to rendezvous with his position.

"Urren!" he shouted at his second-in-command. "It appears as if the Field Marshal has need of my presence. The Sect is yours until such time as I return."

Taciturn as always, Urren 'Muramee simply nodded. As Legra was caught in the gentle but insistent tug of the Phantom's gravity lift, he saw his young subcommander gesturing and calling out, reminding him for all the world of a younger, unscarred Til.

But he did not need to focus his attention on a younger version of Til. The real deal was waiting for him.

His Phantom howled over the battlefield, which was no longer awash with plasma, but was instead littered with bodies--more heretics than Covenant. In hardly the span of a few minutes, Legra leapt out of his Phantom to land with a slight thud on the ground behind his old friend.

Addressing him from behind, he called out: "Tooth and talon, Field Marshal!"

[Faclan]

Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion.
Beginning the counter boarding.

Despite her initial scream for slaughter Kael was pretty reserved as she melted the skin and armor of the Sangheili and Unggoy. It would be foolish for any to change in there and try to claim a mandible for their blade, with so much crossfire and explosions in the mostly empty hanger so the invaders would get no cover. Rather she just stayed near the box she started on as she fired the large beam across the hanger. Her troops well drilled as they just destroyed the attackers with distant fire rather than trying to swarm them to get a bite of combat. The firefight was pretty quick considering the amount of fire being brought to bear on the invaders. Nodding as she checked the charge on her rifle she was pleased to see it sitting well at 84% charge, that would do.

Glancing over at the security chief as he apparently had doubts about her ability she rolled her eyes, under her helmet, and nodded as she started to shout out commands for her Entourage and the cell attached to it. "Into the Darts and Daggers now! (Will be hopefully working on the ship proposal soon >.>) We can't give them any time to know what has befallen their parties!" The two transports were quickly loaded up with most of Kael's Entourage as they moved into the hangers, two more ships in the other hanger loaded up as well as Kael moved to hop in herself.

Like the security chief she also greatly enjoyed killing the pompous and arrogant Sangheili, one of her proudest moments still putting a needle between the renegade generals eyes before scampering off with his own weapon. She knew that the boarders would be looted by the staying security for weapons and armor to sell and spin tales about. Though more so sell. Suf had her...not necessarily respect but approval that he was still sticking to the Kig-Yar ideals of selling and trading outside the Covenant as a whole. A good Kig he was despite being a male.

Hanging onto the side of the transport, left arm wrapped around a hanging strap as she somewhat hung out the side, she nodded as the ships lifted off the deck. Giving a quick salute to the security chief as they flew out toward the near-by frigate.

"When we arrive," she shouted over the wind and into the radio. "Clear the hanger fast, leave the Huragok and unarmed Unggoy only. Once clear move fast to the bridge, we will show them Kig-Yar boarding speed!"

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps.
Battle Plans.

Garatus listened to his two most trusted allies and kin, their advice was valued and contemplated by the young Chieftain. He stayed silent as he thought about it, finally nodding with a grunt. "Yes, Prowlers down low and center, with the Choppers on either side to weaken them before the Pack goes in" Garatus taking another moment to decide whether or not to allow Karonus to lead the Choppers, he was eager which was both a blessing and a curse in such situations. After another long moment Garatus turned to look at Karonus.

"You have my blessing brother, you will lead the left wing of the Choppers. But, once we have ground troops in the fray after you do your weakening of the Heretics, you and your Choppers are to disengage from head on combat and act as glorified turrets. I don't want any of my Pack accidentally turned to mulch by a stray Chopper, I trust you not to do so, I just don't want to take the chance with the rest of the Choppers" Garatus said "Just remember, keep yourself calm and steady, going berserk on a Chopper is a sure way to end up dead" Garatus concluded, giving some advice to his young cousin.

T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.
Early bird catches... the smaller bird?

Roh was glad the common Kig-yar were fine with the mixing of classes, though he was quite surprised to hear another Gel was in the Sect. Well, anything is possible he had decided, probably just some random Clansmen that got drafted. These thoughts quickly left Roh's mind as a needle bounced off Cad's shield, snipers.... Roh looked where Cad pointed and nodded as his fellow T'vaoan dispersed, Roh darting back and forth as he headed for the top of the hill. He was still in earshot as he heard Cad say to keep one alive at least, a good idea. Roh leapt past a fatally wounded sniper as he chased the remaining two, one trying to fire at him while backpedaling.

One needle pinged off of Roh's thigh and another lodged in his pauldron, but Roh was too fast for the Kig-yar as any respectable T'vaoan would be. He rolled past the snipers side and with a shriek it fell to one knee from a slice of his Gel blade, before his Hul injector pierced the back of the skull. Roh gave out a startled saurian squawk as he was struck in the back and stumbled forward, turning to see the third sniper swinging its needle rifle like a bat. Roh ducked the new swing and swiftly jabbed his fist into his opponents ribs, bringing his other arm around the neck. As his right arm wrapped around the neck his left arm grabbed the left arm of his foe and brought it up behind the back of the Kig-yar. He forced the unarmed and restrained Kig-yar to walk forward and down the hill back towards Cad and the rest of them.

[Deleted]

Zealot Field Master Nertetzu 'Odumai
At the Front

The Field Master and a small contingent of troops took cover in a natural trench atop a ridge running perpendicular to the Apostate lines. It was good cover, and at a decent range from them for casualties to be fairly mild. Nertetzu had taken it upon himself to hold the front while Imperial troops assembled for the attack. Nertetzu observed the field inquisitively as both sides shot carefully at each other. The battle had dissolved from a hectic and brutal melee to a standoff as the Loyalists prepared the next stage of deployment. The land in front of the Field Master proved worrisome for such a deployment; the terrain was rugged and uneven leading into the chokepoint, a potential challenge even for Covenant vehicles. The Zealot knew the assault would rely on speed, precision, and careful coordination. The Covenant would either break the Heretic's under a ferocious attack, or suffer heavy casualties trying to take the objective. Although he had his concerns, Nertetzu had no doubt the Legion was in the Forerunner's favor.

Plasma exploded off the soil, causing kig-yar to reel back with agony as their flesh was cooked. Others ducked into cover. A Heretic dropped dead as an Operator's Beam Rifle did it's work. The Covenant engaged abruptly. Nertetzu unleashed a hail of needles from his rifle, striking two jackals in the face with a spray of blood. Rounds glazed the shields of the Kaidon's combat harness, barely affecting their strength. A Major began firing a concussion rifle, suppressing enemy troops.

SpecOps Commander Varos 'Tetunai approached the Field Master and saluted him. As Nertetzu returned the salute, Varos began speaking, "The scouts have successfully infiltrated the Heretic's lines and should be reporting in soon. The Creche should be here in a half-unit. As we agreed: they'll hit the well entrenched positions as the attack commences. Hopefully that'll cause enough of a distraction for the main for to break the traitors!" Varos squeezed his open hand into a fist as if squeezing the life out of a whimpering Unggoy.

Ra'ha 'Odumai nodded, "Then there is nothing else we can do until the Field Marshal begins the assault," he concluded.

Moments later, Til called for all Zealots. Nertetzu pondered why the Field Marshal would order them back after they had deployed to the field. Nertetzu sighed. It was his duty, but he hoped there was good reason to keep the Zealots from the front. Nertetzu boarded his personal phantom with his guard, bidding the SpecOps Ultra farewell.

The Phantom sped over the freshly scarred terrain, which was quickly becoming dotted with neat rows and columns of Covenant soldiers. It was an impressive sight to see hundreds of warriors deploying into battle. Ahh, the beauty of war. It was not long before Nertetzu had reached the Field Marshal's position, leaping from the phantom in earnest. As the Zealot approached his peers and came to attention, Nertetzu's cloak parted to show hiss fist, which he smacked to his chest and stated firmly, "Field Master 'Odumai, ready to serve the will of the God's."

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Chieftain aide and mystic
Moving out.

Nodding as a plan was decided upon Euigne got himself more comfortable on the ride of the Prowler he was using as his chair and glanced over as young Karonus was elected to lead one of the chopper wings. Humming a little he opened a channel to him to offer some advice after Garatus had finished.

"Remember the force they will have, many Ghosts and likely only a few infantry, but they will know what we have and be ready for it. Beware of explosives fired, throw, or hidden in the ground. And don't be a glory hog youngin', that kind of thing will get you killed before you can make your legend."

Nodding in approval Eugine put the radio down and sat back on the Prowler, ready to get off when the battle started so he could move out of the way.


SSA-012 - Yanme'e Swarm
Scrounging for The Master.

The time spent flying with their fellow swarm was unfortunately short as the heretics soon retreated past the laid out battle zone for them. So instead the smaller swarm of Yanme'e fell back on the standing order that were given at the start of the mission; search for wounded Sect members, finish off wounded Heretics, and gather valuables from the Heretics for The Master to burn.

The remaining eleven members broke off into teams of three, four, and four. The four and four searching for wounded Sect and Heretic forces while the three flew back to where the first engagements took place to search for valuables. A few Sect members would wonder what they were doing as they seemed to fly haphazardly about, but most would know they were the Field Master bugs and so wouldn't disturb them. A few of the valuable searching ones had to shove Sect Kig-Yar off bodies to snatch the jewelry before they could but other than those quick scraps the valuable search went well.

The ones searching for wounded, of both sides, had an easier time because all they had to do was call out for aid or deliver a quick slash or plasma bolt past the pleading hands into heads and necks. Working as a team they made quick work of their jobs in the starting mission area before moving back toward the Command location with the Master. They arrived at different times; the Sect searchers with the Ultra first, the executioners second, and the valuables last. The good sized horde of tainted valuables deposited at the Field Marshal's feet as they bowed and stood to the side. The Ultra a bit more forward compared to the rest of the Swarm as she spoke up.

"Missions done Master, Swarm await further order. One Swarm fall, but we ready to maim for Master."

(Dead: 1 Wounded: 0 Alive: 11.)


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Cake religion or death?

Giving the signal for his file to stop firing as the T'vaoan crested the hill they kept shields or weapons up and ready as they crested it after Roh and his file had made it. Nodding in approval at the two slain mercenaries and the remaining live one Cad powdered down his shield as he nodded back at Pad toward the hill. "Watch out for Sangheili or other sect members approaching, they will likely kill this one straight off before we are finished." With a quick nod the female went onto lookout as Cad turned back around and smiled at the Kig-Yar as it vainly struggled in Rohs grip, but the smaller Kig-Yar had little hope of breaking the T'vaoan's hold.

"Greetings Mate," He said, standing just in arms reach of the held bird. "Seems that you and your friends picked the wrong contract. But there is still hope for you to abandon the Heretics and embrace the True Path if you hand over some information and pledge yourself to the Covenant."

"S'all will just kill me, ain't no use."

Shaking his head Cad let his left hand rest on his crystal sabers hilt as he gestured back down the hill. "Many of the Sect's loyal Kig-Yar have fallen, the Sangheili won't look twice at you if you point your weapon in the right direction. If you wish to not take the chance we would be happy to send you to Aecor in the manner of your choosing."

The mercenary looked torn at this decision, but Cad seemed content to wait as he nodded at Roh. "What do you think Roh? Or do you wish to make the choice for him?"

(Feel free to be the prisoner if you need to in your post, the info he gives up should be fairly basic if he gives up any.)

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai

Standing on the edge of the swoop leading towards the enemy’s forward base; a outpost with a built wall augmented with automated anti-aerial fuel rod cannons. He could see the radiation from here in the fall of the sun’s glare before even thinking of zooming in with his enhanced optic sensors. The Zealot leader knew of the schematics, the probe gave vital information on the heretical scum and there was the power of wielding several Special Operations for infiltration. His commander reported the unexpected arrival of one of the Field Masters’ but the situation was handled professionally.

While having his plans derailed by fellow officers was a bit of annoyance to him, Til knew how to adjust to the situation.

He paid little mind to the landing Yanme’e delivering his requested items at the moment, a hand stroking on one of his respirator’s pipe like a San’Shyuum with his fleshy wattles. His eyes occasionally glanced to the coming list of dead and wounded running down his visor’s jaded vision. His mandibles clicked and moved like fingers to manually assign lances and specialists on the individual rune-kissed keys planted in his mask’s mouthplate, sending out orders to high officers and Garatus with electronical commands.

Huragok medical lances in the wounded phantoms...Ghost Assault and Jiralhanae choppers will take the spearhead, Huragok engineers will outfit them with scout-graded energy shields beforehand...The Revenant Light Assault will approach right behind them to capitalize damage on the walls while defenders of Confiding Muse will guard the vehicles on positioned outcrops. The Legion itself will make the shaft of the assault to their vehicular spearhead.

It’ll work for energy shield defense and a plasma-resistant wall...either way, the wall will fall to Covenant power and strategy. If enemy dropships arrive, they’ll be blown out of the sky by response fuel rod gunners of Heavy Ultra Gazam’s troops. Everything else will fall into place.

Thinking on this for a moment, Til nodded at the same time of Legra’s arrival before turning around to greeting his approaching brothers.

“Brothers.” He mused upon, gesturing for the arriving Yanme’e Ultra to perch on his shoulder and past one of his sugared nutrient cube that he used to treat it. He made sure his comms were off to this conversation, not for the zealots to do the same. “The battle took longer than thought but it was won nonetheless. Now we march on to establish a forward base, we don’t have the time or material to make our own. So...as I am sure you both think, we’re going to take one.”

“We need to be swift if we are going to secure. My infiltration unit is already on the go for our arrival, a phantom will be sacrificed in the attempt but I have little doubt that my ‘operatives’ will succeed in their objective. Your soldiers will marching with our vehicular assault, taking out enemies that survive the rush and any air interception. With those guns running, they’ll be able to hit air support half-way in our march and I refuse for a swarm blitz.”

Letting that sink in some, Til ticked his head some as if just noticing something in the distance. Taking this moment, he looked at aged Legra first...a practical hunter. While Til was younger and higher in status than the elder, he nevertheless respected him immensely. He didn’t make close-knitted brothers quickly but he, Sorsa and Legra were the closest since the Hunt all those rotations ago. Trapped together in the dense forests of Templar’s Rest, swarms of Moonbeasts on their tails; such relentless, savage beasts that had both Til’s respect and...densely-walled fear. All of it reminded him of another great terror. A terror that he encountered on the Prophet of Regret’s found Shield World before it was reported destroyed by its internal sun’s failure. Human machinations no doubt.

Backing those memories away, the Field Marshal looked over to the new member of Reticence; Nertetzu ‘Odumai. A northern clansman and it showed in his stocky cold-resisting build. He was a little older than Til but that made little difference to him, even if the other was a rather young Kaidon. The Muram elite could smell the high-blood from the Zealot the moment he saw him during the legion’s establishing and training. He made one fact clear to all commanders in the force; respect your brothers, high and low, and no matter what species or rank you are, you will serve as the unbreakable link. One weak link; Zealot or not, you will be dealt with Til himself. If he is the same, then one of the Reticent Lance is permitted to approach.

Balance and order is key in the Muram Zealot’s methodical mind of handling his forces. Despite the heated Jiralhanae-related events, he didn’t expend his anger upon those loyal to the theology and rightful Sangheili command.

Staring for a moment, Til nodded to himself, “Legra; you will be leading the ground forces in the march. You may take a ghost or move on foot.” He said with a slight hand gesture to indicate he didn’t care which. The older Sangheili knew his own strengths and had the Field Marshal’s trust to work accordingly to the plain. Now to Nertetzu. The spike-adorned Zealot didn’t quite touch ‘Muramai’s sentiments yet until he proved his worth, until then, he was a expendable as a any lower-tier officer but obviously the latter hid that thought process behind his mask and perfect stoic mannerisms. “And you will aid in the infiltration. You have a magnificent work of the blade and that is needed for the close-quarters to come.”

With that, the Field Marshal had certainly excitement under his mask as that part of the plan. Inside the waiting phantom hidden under cloak and sitting near the enemy base, the operatives were whispering their chant of war poetry to ease their bloodlust.

Unggoy Ultra Jadap

Loading another Unggoy with plasma scars onto a stretcher with two others as they moaned and whimpered at the searing pain not meant for once-fellow followers of the same faith, Jadap patted on the young trooper’s leg before nodding to the laborers that it is full, loading them up on anti-grav crate carriers to help take them to the waiting Huragok healers. The big Unggoy Ultra fixed on his face shielding’s respirator some and inhaled a lungful of methane before looking towards his gathered soldiers; mostly of the common breed but he had the distinct fortune of gaining two others of his breed into the lance, both Minors. Everyone had their new scraps and scars from fighting their own brothers on the battlefield, it was a new and painful experience but it came with a little wisdom.

“Back to the creche.” He instructed before leading the troop onwards to their assigned unit.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps.
Times change....

Garatus nodded in agreement of his Uncles advice to Karonus, it was sound knowledge from an experienced source and something to be valued by wise ones. As Garatus looked over at his fathers Chopper, he thought back to when they were just another mode of transportation or a simple farm tool. Choppers were something special to Garatus, besides making the fun of turning Humans to pulp technically just being advanced farming(added novelty for the Chieftain, really.) They were also the only reason he ever interacted with his father besides in formal obligations. Fenarius loved his Chopper dearly and insisted on maintaining it himself, he wouldn't even let a servant polish it for him let alone park it. But whenever he was lying in the dirt with his tools while covered in grease, a young Garatus would always be there to grab that one tool or fetch another ale when his father got thirsty. After Fenarius died, Garatus was shocked to find his father had left his Chopper to him and not one of his elder brothers, but it meant the world to him.

Garatus was brought back to the moment by the comms in his ear, he listened intently to the Field Marshal before saying " Acknowledged" simply and promptly began to re-evaluate his plans. They would be one half of the spearhead assault for the Legion, their allied Ghosts making up the other half. They would need to change their current course and to go to the left, the only plus side was that the Heretics wouldn't expect them from this new direction they would be using. Since only Garatus received the news of the change in plans of the present Jiralhanae, he would then tell his Pack of the change.

"Pack!" Garatus announced into the Jiralhanae Comms, "There has been a change in plans. We are to meet up with the rest of the Legion and our vehicular troops will be leading a spearhead against the Heretics alongside the Legions Ghost riders. The Heretics will not be expecting us from this new direction so we have the upper hand brothers!" Garatus said "for now..." he tacked on privately off of the comms line. "Correct course to the left, Vehicles take it slow and foot bound fall back until the vehicles have cleared and are on the new course" Garatus concluded.


T'vaoan Major Roh Gel
Time to talk... or die, alternatively.

Roh walked the Traitor forward into area of the File of Kig-yar, Cad stepping forward to handle the situation. Roh watched as Cad talked, making an offer hard to refuse, yet the traitor was torn by the choice set before him. Cad deferred to Roh to 'decide' for the Heretic which brought a grin to the corners of his beak.

"Well... since he's taking so long I'd just as soon decide... for him" Roh said sinisterly as he tightened his grip slightly. Roh reached to his back and swiftly unsheathed one of his Khopesh blades with and audible 'shing' and started to bring it around to the front in hopes of forcing the Heretics hand. Either they'd get a valuable asset or Roh would get to kill something, a win win situation for the T'vaoan.

[NinjaBoss]

Zaxax, Unggoy Ultra
Somewhere on the battlefield

Zaxax groggily came out of a dark, hazy place. He had been trapped there.... Wherever there was. He seemed to remember a game of hunting rock...... He was winning! But who were his opponents? Sayad, an old friend of his. Yadab and Pradad too. Then a battlefield. Sayad and Yadab next to him, green orbs of plasma and pink crystalline shards of death flying towards the enemy. That was when he heard it, that familiar yet dangerous sound common to the battlefields against the nishum. A sort of barking, yet faster, an ear splitting rhythmic chatter of doom. Looking to the left, he saw it, one of the humans vehicles with three of the filthy vermin riding in it, their archaic weapons firing. Sayad suddenly convulsed, rapidly, and Yadab after him, chunks of steel tearing through their armored carapaces, splashes of blue splattering the ground, Zaxax, and anything else it could reach. Zaxax shook in fear, sure he was to be next, to die only a minor on the field.

"Raaaargh!" A Sangheili roar, the leader of his lance, as he attacked the nishum. With a newfound courage, Zaxax stood up straight and fired his plasma pistol. One shot loose, then he felt it. A sharp pain in his chest, before being thrown back onto his ass. Looking down to see blue blood dripping down his orange chest, then up at a human preparing for the kill, eye narrowed, weapon ready.....

Zaxax blinked repeatedly when his death never came, and the luscious, thriving human planet gave way to a more desolate, barren scenery, plumes of smoke and everything from bright red to blue colored flames dotting the area around him. Directly in front of him, where his would-be killer sat now stood an Unggoy, wearing the orange armor of a minor Zaxax wore himself. Wait, that wasn't right.... He looked down, and saw the same blue blood spattered chest, though his chest wasn't orange. It was the white-silver of an Ultra, the rank Zaxax had acquired in the years since then. He must've had a flashback, an odd mix and match of memories from when he was younger.

"Zaxax? Zaxax!" The call of the Unggoy caused him to jerk his head in its direction, squinting to make out the figure.

"Ta-Tapap? Is that you?" Zaxax questioned as he coughed up blue blood, spitting what was left in his mouth onto the ground beside him.

"Yes Ultra, it's me!" Tapap replied, excitement rising in his voice.

"Our phantom crashed sir, we got shot down over the battlefield. Salal's over there, he's awake but can hardly move without help. Nadad, well......" Tapap trailed off, shaking his head as he knew the Major was close to Zaxax, and to him as well, for they had been through much together.

"Nadad didn't make it sir." Tapap finally said, his voice quiet and nearly emotionless. Grief tugged at Zaxax's heart, but he forced it away. As leader of his file he had more important things to focus on, for the moment at least.

"Are we the only ones left?" Zaxax asked, using his hands to push himself up to his feet, assessing the situation.

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Jiralhanae aide and Mystic
Ooh shields.

Stretching a bit as he shifted on the Prowlers side Eugine took out his canteen with his good hand a took a swig of the drink. In proper Jiralhanae fashion the liquid was far from just water, a mix of a good ale as well as a few other chemicals to help Eugine make it through the battlefield. As a result he took a good long draft of it and drained half of it, glad that he had another two in the bag on his bandolier as he slipped the canteen back in there and then looked up when he heard the Field Marshals voice over the radio.

It was good to know that they would be getting support but not only that but shields? That would be very welcome. He looked forward the looks on the Sangheili heretics faces when their own precious technology used against them by the 'unclean' Jiralhanae. It would make for a good recording, Eugine nodded happily as he looked over to his Nephew shouting out orders.

Not much he could add to it so instead he just nodded and shifted so he was in a better seat as the vehicles moved out. "The shields will allow us to be more aggressive," he started as they trundled along. "Perhaps aggressive enough to just charge them and run them down with the Choppers. It's going to be a good drive for the tales Chieftain."


SSA-012 - Yanme'e Swarm
Awaiting commands...and accepting treats happily.

The Swarm happily stood beside The Master as he issued commands to his troops, the Ultra taking her place on his shoulder and trying to look menacing at the troops around The Master. Which unfortunately didn't last as the cube was offered. The Ultra, a bit lack of control perhaps, carefully but quickly grabbing the cube and shoving it in her mandibles. A series of quick crunches and sucks coming from her as the rest of the Swarm just kept looking forward as the Ultra seemed to allow herself a moment of bliss before straightening up and nodding, continuing on as if nothing happened.

"Awaiting orders Master."


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
A journey we shall all take...

The captured Kig-Yar was looking back and fourth between Cad and the crèche force in the distance as he seemed to be grasping the severity of the situation, that this was his life he was trying to gamble for right now. But in true Kig-Yar tradition neither Cad nor Roh or any of their files were hurting him or shouting at him. Roh was just holding him securely while the prisoner was left to grapple with this himself - a test for his mind as well as his allegiances. Just as Kig-Yar liked it. Though Roh's blade coming out did finally spur him into action, but they were on a time limit here so it was needed.

"N..na friends!" he stammered, a good start as Cad expectantly leaned his head to the side, waiting for the reveal. "I giv' ta best info I hav' if I ca live!" Cad just waved his hand a little, in a go on gesture as the Heretic started again. "I knoo of somthin' beyond ta fr'ward base, somthin' na Coven'nt approMMPH." Was as far as he got before Cad's chest rig mounted Radio spoke up with the Field Marshals voice, and Cad had reached out to shut the Kig's beak. Waiting until the order was finished Cad nodded and let go of the beak, the Kig-Yar quickly starting up again, looking a bit hopeful.

"Ta deliv'ry wa made by ma fellows, na approved, dangerous, but ta dun't know anythin' else, Sangjeli kept ta secret, high secr'ty, I swar!" With that finished Cad nodded as he patted the Kigs beak and nodded at Roh. "See, wasn't so hard was it? Welcome to the Path, may you find peace on your Journey." The heretic was hopeful looking, until he noticed that Roh hadn't let him go yet and Cad was starting to call out orders to his file to prepare to move, the Kig starting to pull at Rohs arm around his throat, perhaps pulling out an arm feather or two.

(Oooh damn not the arm feathers!)

[BetaWülf]

Roh Gel, T'vaoan Major.
Fools, one and all.

Roh smiled devilishly as the stupid little bird sung its pretty little song, music to his ear-holes. So the Split faced bastards had a secret did they? Roh would see this for himself if he could he decided, taking the word of his captive since he didn't think he was smart enough to lie. Roh nodded back to Cad, taking the hint to off the little Heretic wretch from Cad's mentioning of the Great Journey. The captive realized as well since Roh didn't let go and Cad and his crew started to prepare to move off, the Heretic struggled desperately but his claws found no purchase against the T'vaoans scaly hide. He did however manage to gain Roh's ire when he ripped out a trio of feathers, Roh growled in annoyance and suppressed expression of pain or weakness.

Roh put his left palm into the center of the Heretics back before pushing hard and letting the commoner stumble forward. But as fast as Roh's victim was shoved away so did his other hand swish through the air, Khopesh in his grip. The body stumbled and dropped into the dust, twitching as the head flipped through the air backwards and tumbling to the dirt after bouncing off of Roh's pauldron. "Well that was uneventful, at least we got some good information from the scum. Good work Cad" Roh said patting the Kig-yar on the shoulder.

Garatus, Jiralhanae Chieftain.
Shields, Battle, Recognition.

Garatus continued his jog thinking about the temporary allowance of shielding and the slight recognition they were receiving from the Field Marshal, Til seemed to be a level headed and just leader, unlike the majority of his misbegotten race. Garatus would need to enter the fray on a Chopper to properly lead and maintain his honorable reputation, though he would take a regular Chopper and let Karonus retain control of his own for the time being and remainder of the Mission against the Heretics.

Garatus listened to his Uncle and nodded, "Indeed it will be, but there will be Unggoy and Sangheili on Ghosts there on our side that will muck that up. If we try to take out all the enemy Ghosts ourselves will be caught in a crossfire between the Heretics and our own Sangheili allies, I'm sure neither side would have a problem with that unless I survived long enough to shove my hammer in unpleasant places" Garatus said, untrusting of his Sangheili allies, save for Til Muramai himself.

[Deleted]

Field Master Nertetzu 'Odumai
Obeying orders

Nertetzu said nothing, but the anger was evident on his face. He began rubbing his mandibles together in agitation. After all: who was this low-blood to judge him? The 'Muram were nothing more than a glamorized flock of gypsies. They held no power in comparison to the 'Odum, despite their relationship with the 'Xirxas.

Nertetzu didn't know if it was jealousy or practicality, but it mattered little; The Kaidon was a grizzled warrior that cared not for the Marshal´s opinions. He would lead the Operators against the Heretics with prejudice, despite the insult of not being able to lead from the front.

Nertetzu gave an empty salute before proceeding to his personal phantom.

***

Nertetzu struck the wall har enough to chip his gauntlet before he turned to a trusted major and spat, "That peasant of a Field Marshal knows not to whom he speaks! I would flay him for disrespect to the 'Odum!"

The Major knew his commanding officer well, converting his attention to the coming assault, "The Heretics will not allow the front to be taken easily. The Operators will face tough resistance."

Nertetzu took the bait, responding hastily, "They wil break nonetheless, The wrath of a Zealot bears little mercy."

A slight look of fear tinged the Major's eyes for a second before he nodded at the Field Masters words.

[NinjaBoss]

Zaxax, Unggoy Ultra
Phantom Crash Site

"No Ultra, a few of the oescers managed to survive. Three Unggoy, two Kig-yar, and a Sangheili, but he's too hurt too move..... I think he'll die soon." Tapap replied to Zaxax's question, who winced as he managed to stand. The pain in his torso reached out, probing his nerves as he strained them. He really needed to do something about those, at least get them checked out. Looking down at himself, Zaxax began a quick search for wounds, anything that drew blood or managed to pierce his combat armor. Splashes of blue blood against the silver gleam that was his armor, Zaxax found several minor scratches, a painful plasma burn on his right side, and a tear in his left arm, nearly two inches deep. Thankfully the burn wasn't bleeding, and it appeared the scratches had stopped, but that tear in his arm was leaking blue like a facet, and seemed to grow that much more painful when he examined it.

"Are you alright Zaxax?" Tapap asked, stopping with a concerned look on his face, his eyes following the wound in his arm.

"No, Tapap, not until I get his wound to stop bleeding. Then maybe I will be better. Take me to where the others are, we need to find out what's going on" Zaxax replied, then Tapap then d and began to walk more briskly, a purpose to complete. He brought Zaxax to where the Covenant soldiers sat, the majority wounded in some way or another, even more dead. Purple wreckage charred black and orange in places where it was still hot littered the area, providing some cover from beyond. Smoke still rose from the wreckage, which toted the occasional blue fire. Three Unggoy sat close together, two minors and a heavy, one of the minors with apparently broken legs. The other two seemed to still be in fighting shape. The two Kig-yar sat suspiciously close together, in a form of collusion as it seemed. They seemed weak and lightly wounded, but Zaxax suspected they still had some fight in them yet. Then he came to the Sangheili, a major, who was alive, but only barely. Each time his chest rose and fell a painful rasp could be heard escaping from his lungs, the poor fellow. There was little the Covenant infantry could do for him, so they just left him there.

"Zaxax! Here, try this." Tapap spoke, drawing the Ultra's attention away from the Sangheili. He carried a cloth, what resembled a piece of a flag, before the crash. Now Tapap wrapped Zaxax's arm tightly in the cloth, tying it off when he was finished. Now Zaxax wouldn't lose too much blood, if he hadn't already. It was time to start devising a plan of action.

[Vertickly]

Minor Marglurum
Still moving... disappointed, but anxious to fight.

They were still moving but slowed at the orders of the Chieftain "Correct course to the left, Vehicles take it slow and foot bound fall back until the vehicles have cleared and are on the new course"
.

Marglurum was disappointed they would have the vehicles move in first, but he did recognize the move, it was smart to let them clear some room. But he still wanted to quench his thirst to fight. He wanted to do nothing more then to kill these heretics, though he himself didn't exactly believe in the prophets himself. And he never said anything, or made any notions of it. He could see the chieftain from his position, he didn't mind him, felt he could be a great leader. But he won't know himself till this upcoming battle. 

He stayed towards the front of the pack, correcting the direction of the march with the rest of the pack. He can't wait to get this battle started, and get more experience under his belt.

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Jiralhanae aide and Mystic
A bit of old man windging.

"When do they not muck it up with their fragile vehicles and bodies?" Eugine muttered to himself, and into the radio, as they trundled on toward the vehicle refit station to get the shields on their craft. "Seems we'll just have to go with the old plan of using our heavier cannons than the Ghosts to bombard the Heretics from a distance until Til orders the Ghost to step aside so we can do the real work...mmm." Grunting some Euigne reached back into his bandolier bag and removed then finished off the last of his first ale canteen, sighing happily before slipping it back and nodding at the approaching Covenant force.

"You would think they would put a shield system on your armor if they wanted unity between the races and keep the good Chieftains alive, not just thornbeast(hog) it for their own systems." Ehhing and grumbling a bit the elder slid off the side of the Prowler and retrieved his staff as he headed over to Garatus to nod at him and smile. "Good work so far by the way - I shouldn't weigh you down with my worried."


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Dancing around societal conventions. And on hold.

Nodding as his file fell more at ease and prepared for the walk back Cad turned at the shoulder pat and smiled as he bowed his head a bit - accepting Roh's higher social standing as he patted the hand on his shoulder. While it wouldn't technically be socially incorrect for him to return the gesture since a T'vaoan initiated it Cad decided to just take the cautious side and didn't reach over to Roh. "Uneventful perhaps, but lucrative. That's quite the blade arm you have there."

With the two files moving back Cad holstered his Needler and also de-activated his shield as he tapped his radio and quietly spoke into it as they left the hill and headed back for the Covenant lines - the slain heretic just walked over as they went. Though Cads file did quickly loot the headless body of anything shiny before they left, because free loot. "Requesting a message to be sent to the Field Master, awaiting a break." Letting the unit clip back to his shoulder Cad looked back at Roh and hummed a bit as he waited for a reply for the force as they went. "I hope I'm not intruding Roh...but do you have any family? I know I've heard Gel before in this Sect." Though he quickly added something else as he dipped his beak a bit. "But despite my asteroid upbringing I know of the Gel Nest and know it may just be a Clansmen."

Unfortunately before Roh could answer the radio beeped and Cad quickly dipped his beak again and offered an apology to Roh as he relayed his message to either Til or someone who would carry the message to him. "Interrogation of a Heretic revealed that the Heretics may have something dangerous that was banned in Covenant space - may be unfounded ravings but possible danger." With that done he replaced the radio and glanced back at Roh as he hoped he hadn't overstepped his bounds - he also knew how some Gel reacted to personal slights. No matter how small.

(Yey making up cultural rules.)

[Kart]

Field Master Legra 'Adantai
To the beat of the drums...

The Covenant was the greatest empire in the galaxy, and that was no more apparent than when they were on the march. The combined hoofbeats (or footbeats) pounded a staccato rhythm as Legra's Sect brought the main infantry of the Covenant toward the Heretic's forward base. He had elected to join them, forgoing the relative ease of Ghost travel in favor of the solidarity provided by marching alongside his soldiers.

At his side, as solemn as ever, Ultra Domo Urren 'Muramee kept up a constant stream of reports to the Field Master. Legra might not have turned to look at him, but he was processing the young 'Muram's every word.

"Our Ghosts are spearheading the vanguard, Field Master, and are wreaking much havoc. The Jiralhanae vehicular  and foot are also in position, but they are unable to engage, due to the chaos of the battlefield. No forces have yet reached the heretic outpost's wall."

Legra grunted thoughtfully. It made sense--the heretics had comparatively little light armor, which meant that allowing the smaller vehicles to go first would press the Covenant's advantage. But it was inefficient--the Covenant's superior numbers of infantry would sit idle until the vehicles cleared the field. He mulled it over for a few more minutes of marching, cautiously pondering the dilemma. When he finally made his decision, he turned toward his sub-commander.

"Urren, who is the Jiralhanae at the head of the vanguard?"

"The Chieftain Garatus, Field Master."

Garatus...Legra couldn't put a face to the name, but he had certainly heard of it--and from his own staff, even. The Jiralhanae might have a thousand names and titles amongst themselves, but it was a rare specimen indeed that had notoriety with the Sangheili.

Very well, Legra thought. I will trust this Garatus.

"Have the Ghosts and the rest of the light vehiculary clear the field--tell them to outflank the heretics, and to make way for the infantry."

Urren nodded. "It will be done."

"Next, open up a channel between me and the Chieftain."

Urren nodded again. "It is done."

"Chieftain. I am Field Master Legra 'Adantai, and I have been given command of our ground operations. I am extracting the light vehicles from the combat to make room for your troops. Engage as you see fit, but ensure that the heretics do not break your lines. I am approaching with the main column of infantry--press the attack until we arrive to break down the heretics' doors. Fight well, with tooth and talon."

Legra growled softly.

The time has come to turn this skirmish into a battle.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Changing plans, yet again.

Garatus chuckled with bestial rumblings seeping through like sap between his claws, how fragile the other species were always made him laugh. They were all weaker and smaller, save for the mighty Hunters. Only the Sangheili or T'vaoan could out jump a Jiralhanae, the brutal gravity of their world making their pounces and leaps much greater on weaker planets. The Unggoy were tough of hide and strong of arm, but were as easily felled as any human. The Kig-yar were fast and cunning but far too deceit and greedy, and were frail like twigs. The Yanme'e were bugs, easily squashed and unable to fly without special gravity generators(The Jiralhanae's experience with such things made them good engineers for the Yanme'e in cases of outside assistance being needed.)

He almost dared to think of the San'Shyuum in such a manner, but quickly and shamefully forced the thoughts from his mind. "It is no problem Uncle, I am my own keeper and it is up to me to let or let not the things around me take affect. I cannot expect everyone to speak only of the good, and still expect to be able to handle the bad" Garatus said with a smile, he had learned much in his short time as a Chieftain and much more beforehand from his wise Uncle.

*A Short Time Later*

The Choppers and Prowlers had been outfitted successfully and the Jiralhanae had shortly thereafter completed the march to the battle, Garatus standing at the head of his Pack with his Kinsmen on either side. The Covenant Ghosts battled the Heretics but there was no real room or purpose for the Jiralhanae it seemed. Garatus grunted, raising his head up to huff his nostrils in thought. Very soon his ear bleeped alerting him of the incoming message, one Field Master Legra 'Adantai. Garatus listened intently as the Snagheili spoke, one claw resting gently against his earpiece as he did so. Garatus nodded as if the Field Master stood before him before speaking, "And so it shall be, may your steps quake with reverent honor Field Master" Garatus said in acknowledgement.

Garatus turned quickly to face his Pack, the looking over the group with pride in his fiery orange eyes. He turned to Karonus and clasped his shoulders "The time has come for glorious battle, you will lead the left flank of Choppers to rip into the enemies side, the ground forces charging between your group and the right flank of Prowlers" Garatus said before gently tapping his helmet into Karonus's to show his deep affection for his brother, then turning to his Uncle "Uncle, your experience is invaluable and I will need you to command the Prowlers of the right flank to keep them from fleeing or forming dangerous resistance" he said tapping the top if his Uncles shoulder lightly with a fist to express his respect and love for his Uncle.

"Pack brothers! Children of Doisac! Our time has come, steel your hearts and bare you fangs, into battle we ride with Gods by our sides!" Garatus said, pumping his hammer into the air with both hands as he howled his words, "Now brothers, with me!" Garatus said thrusting the hammer upwards with one fist before turning and leading the charge of the Jiralhanae infantry as the Choppers and Prowlers growled on either side. The ground thundered beneath their great clawed feet, the rocks quaked as the howls, roars and bellows of over a hundred Jiralhanae rang through the air as the Heretics formed ranks and prepared to meet them. The Prowlers and Choppers fanned out to give the infantry a good birth and make their curve into the sides of the Heretic forces. The gap closed and time seemed to slow as the space between them decreased, the sound of Chopper cannons and Prowler turrets greeting their ears as the two forces of infantry crashed together like two skulls in a furious headbutt. Garatus leapt high with his hammer in hand, landing with a deafening crash of his gravity hammer and the flying of Heretics slain in the wake of his gravity generators.

[Kart]

Field Master Legra 'Adantai
Orchestrating the attack

"The Jiralhanae infantry have struck." Urren 'Muramee reported dutifully. "The Chieftain Garatus has divided his light vehicles into twin pincers, with the driving force of his footsoldiers forming the vanguard."

Clever. Legra thought. I shall make it a priority to meet this...Garatus.

Unfortunately, Legra's own column still straggled on. The distance was closing, yes, but he was unwilling to force his soldiers into double time. He wanted them fresh and fierce for the combat itself--trying to rush things now could jeopardize the whole battle. However, there was still far too much distance for them to cover before they would be able to join the fight--that meant he needed a delaying measure. Giving the Jiralhanae air support would be ideal, but Til had only given him command of ground forces. He had no say over the disposition of aircraft.

Of course, aircraft weren't the only way to provide air support...
 
"All Yanme'e swarms, disengage from current assignments! Fly low and fast, and attack the heretic ground forces on the same bearing as the Jiralhanae vanguard. This is true battle--shoot to kill!"


Yanme'e "From-Sky-Falling" Swarm
Heeding the call

To kill?

To kill, he says. Is that not what we do?

Yes. We agree. We kill.

Some part of the swarm questioned the Field Master's orders. After all, was not flight the Yanme'e's advantage? Would they not have been better off diving from above, not behaving as if they were no more than slightly elevated infantry? Eventually, it was decided amongst the hivemind--the Field Master was wrong.

They didn't do a thing about it.

After all, orders were orders, and it didn't matter that the Field Master was wrong--they would do as he commanded. They hovered immediately above the heads of the charging Jiralhane, occasionally swerving to avoid the shrapnel tossed up by the bellowing brutes. The heretics had no hive-children amongst their ranks--the air above the battlefield was theirs, and theirs alone.

Bucking and weaving through the hail of plasma, the swarm cried out. Here, they struck a kill. There, one of their own fell. They were not retreating and reattacking, as they would normally do--instead, they pinwheeled over the same area, letting fly with their Needlers and dousing their enemies in pink rain.

Yes, thought the swarm. Yes, we kill.

[Vertickly]

Minor Marglurum
Let's get it started at hot! Let's get it started in here!

Marglurm cheered as they reached the field of battle with plasma bolts moved passed him and above toward the swarm of yanme that were attacking with them. 'The Yanme, huh, a good ally' he thought to himself whilst watching them swarm the enemies' position. He brought out his Type-25 and began to fire on the targets closest to him, with his major and fellow minors doing the same. And he didn't stop moving making it more difficult to aim accurately but he wasn't concerned about accuracy, only suppression, he wanted to get up close and personal with his enemy.

He thought back momentarily to his training with his uncle about CQC, and how to take down opponents of equal or greater strength. He was concerned having never fought a Sangheili before. But still with his training in hand-to-hand combat he was confident in his abilities, but knew not to underestimate his opponent. They were nearing the enemies, nearly close enough to charge without getting mauled down by plasma bolts.