Mission 7: Protector

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai
In a Empty Grave, the Spirits whispers the loudest...

With nothing to do but wait that his last message made it to the outside world and his Mgalekgolo to cleave a path through the rumble, their weapons dimming once in a while to preserve their fuel rods. Til watched from his position; sitting meditatively with his legs folded and hands resting on his lap. His helmet staring emotionless at the forming hole, rim glowing with molten rock, and soft breathes rippling through the tubes connecting him to his gassed oxygen tank.

The Sangheili breathed out deeply once before idly tapping his mandibles against his internal commands, checking his armor systems, present forces’ signatures, status of his communication channels; the sect channel was function but the outside channels of the Battlenet wasn’t quite functioning...he could muffled voices under the static and reminded him to repair his horn-like communication sensors.

All the while, his spine shivered and eyes wanted to wander around to the subtle movements of the earth around them shifting. The constant threat of being crushed by tons of rocks was needless to say a wretched experience...but it wasn’t the fear of pain and death that bothered Til much. It was being buried without providing a fight. It was the way of dying...To not die fighting a enemy that he could crush under his boots or impale upon his spear. To become metal-encrusted paste instead of being delivered to his Keep and cremated to join the Ancestors in the endless Helian Sea. His Spirit trapped on this forsaken world until his mortal shell becomes apart of the crust, touched by the gravel and sand, or the Priests sing their lamentation.

His children will be his continuation.

Grunting out, the Field Marshal dismissed the thoughts to shout out, “Save your ammunition, Start using your eels and hands to carve a secure hole!” He ordered and the lekgolo hummed out their approval, the lances of energy halted before one of the lumbering titans stepped infront the carved holes. The collected body of squirming eels shuddered before they launched out from the belly, soldiers watched in awe and slight disgust as the armor that shaped the Mgalekgolo’s body collapsed onto the ground while its components ate the alien minerals with powerful jaws and ravenous hunger. The eels’ slippery bodies pushing through the cracks and eat a supportive pathway for their twin-body to start tearing through tirelessly. Rocks tumbled down to the troop but they were easily avoidable. Their fellows started to aid, in unison singing a war-song in their alien hymn.

Absorbing it, Til looked over to the side and prayed that those within the stairway were alright. His good eye glanced over the T'vaoan Champion in worry, knowing her son was in that predicament. They needed to hurry and soon...

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Gods damned planet....

Garatus grunted as he went from sitting to standing, leaning heavily on his Gravity Hammer, its massive head resting on the ground as clawed hands rested over the butt of the haft. Garatus looked down at his Uncle as he spoke, a mild chuckle exiting his mouth. If he was feeling better he would have given a full laugh, but the strain he had put on his body was something that few had do regularly(himself most definitely included.) "The one thing I ask of you is to survive this Gods damned planet" Garatus said with something vaguely resembling humor before growling softly, "for it seems to have it in for us"

Garatus looked up from his Uncle when he heard something approaching, which he soon saw were a few Sangheili. When the Ultra addressed him Garatus nodded respectfully then listened to what he had to say, he was like most Sangheili with an air of authority and a certain... self imposed sense of superiority. He was however more respectful than most, which made him more tolerable to Garatus. "We don't take things for granted, we know how conserve supplies" Garatus said with a grunt, "but I appreciate the... concern regardless, it is a sign a good minded warrior" Garatus said as he hefted his hammer and rested it over his shoulder.

He noticed the Ultra's compan... no, brother from the scent Garatus could tell, was acting somewhat apprehensive both in his manner of movement and the way he looked at them. Garatus decided this was either fear or contempt of the Jiralhanae that caused him to be this way, and chuckled almost sinisterly at it. Either way, Garatus had no use for the smaller Sangheili at the time and elected to ignore his existence.

"Pack, the Sangheili are sharing their supplies with us. Resupply but don't over do it, get patched up then prepare for labor. I am resuming command over your hides since the planet having unleashed its fury has stopped our invasion of the underground for the time being."

"All Warriors above ground, I am resuming command of all species of the Infantry, including the Sangheili" Garatus said with a certain amount of satisfaction at the power he held over them for once, "Resupply and receive what healing you need. We will focus on reforming our ranks and saving our trapped brothers. I want Sangheili and Jiralhanae crews to begin evacuation and excavation of the Staircase so we may continue our campaign, Unggoy and Kig-yar will begin clearing the the tops of the elevators. I want unison dammit, any trouble making will be met with my fist! Cooperation will be rewarded. Chieftain Garatus out!" Garatus bellowed into the communications for all Species to hear.

(Working on getting us Covies back on task)

T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.
Meh.

Roh continued to sit on the ground for a long while, just silently recalling what little he remembered of his mother as a child, the good memories. He still remembered the way it felt when she stroked his fluff as a chick, though little else remained of his earliest memories. He still had his resentments towards Kael, but in this moment, those didn't matter to him. Or at least they weren't occurring to him at the moment.

Roh looked up when he noticed a pair of T'vaoan feet entering his downward gaze, his expression hardened like a rock into a scowl. When he met the gaze of the individual he saw they were a Murmillo and guessed they were of Kael's Entourage. He listened to the words of encouragement and simply nodded. He accepted the hand extended to him and was soon back on his feet.

"You're right, it'd take a lot more than some displaced stone to do her in. Now, what're we to do to help?" Roh asked, as he had no one to give him direction at the moment besides the Murmillo.

[Huka]

Special Operations Commander Praem ‘Nikyusee
Aboard Stealth Spirit The Harbinger, Human Water Purification Facility
The Taste of Hate

Praem watched the Yanme’e prove of unefficient use besides buzzing around like insignificant and easily-replaced insects that they were. Probably it was a leader faction that made them more efficient...the Special Operative placed the thought as minor while his plan didn’t work quite as thoroughly as he hoped; the facility was well-prepared for such a earthquake, this place was too important to the colony as a whole to be taken by a inconvience and that made the objective all the more important. The commander placed an hand over his given pilot, feeling the shiver from the young Major. “Prepare to leave to a secure location for now. The humans are too well placed for our small team.” He ordered.

The Major blinked under his helmet before turning his head somewhat, “What of the Field Marshal’s Yamne’e?" Praem wasn’t dull enough to not notice the need to place the creatures as ‘Muramai’s. To simply put, the Major was trying to save the bugs’ lives as well or the Field Marshal actually had a little pet attachment to them. This made the Nikyus operator click his lower mandibles together in a Sangheilian form of a shrug. “I suppose they can return back into the Spirit if they are capable but if not...we leave them behind as burden. Twenty ticks.” He said in a tone that made his order final before sleeking away.

The use of complete surprise was no longer a factor sadly, the Humans were led by a possible veteran against the Field Marshal’s forces...brute force is needed. At least he knew a taste of their defenses. On that, Praem started to access the Battlenet for the ships while the Spirit opened on the side, away from the facility’s view with the Spec Ops camouflage to give the illusion of no other troops than the Yamne’e and Unggoy.

”Yamne’e, this is your chance of life for redemption. Return to the ship’s broadside immediately. Thirty ticks. Out.” Praem ordered in their communications through his automatic translator.

[Faclan]

(No Cad or SSA bit because Cad is just on the ground in a bunch of pain and waiting for Cabel to post for SSA snooping around his plant.)

(NPC)Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo.
With the main force.
Time to go searching...

Nodding with a little smirk as Roh got up to his feet Eal hummed at his question and turned his head around one way and then another as he tried to see what needed doing. Most of the entourage that hadn't gone down in the first wave were helping try to get their Mistress out. While the ones who were on the stairs were trying to help the wounded or getting tended to themselves. Glancing back at Roh it was pretty clear that he wasn't that badly wounded. He could still do work...and this shaking about may have opened up additional ways to move about this place back where they started. Nodding a bit he looked over to some of his injured forces and radioed out a few orders to them and then the Jiralhanae Chieftain. Eal started to walk toward his troops after giving Roh a 'hold' signal, seeing that the young full didn't have a long-arm.

"Baso, pass over your BR-4 and your shells, you won't be assaulting with a broken arm. We're going scouting to see if this earthquake got us some new passage ways." Reaching up to catch the thrown shotgun as it was thrown, and the chest-rig full of shells, with rifled barrel across its back, after that Eal nodded at Roh as he tossed him the shotgun as he radioed the Chieftain. "We are going to go back to the underground entrance and search for new passage-ways that may have been revealed. Will report back if we find anything."

Walking back to Roh he handed the fluff the chest-rig with a a bit of a smile visible through Eal's helmet. "I trust you know how to operate that Gel, make ready and let's see what you're made of." Thankfully Eal didn't say Roh better measure up to Kael's skill, or that would have likely started a fight. "Our files can remain here and help out the forces - us two are going scouting."

(So think a good sized bandolier with shells over the front, and a holder for the R-4 and the rifled barrel across the back. You can also pick if the R-4 has a stock or any other cool attachments BetaW :3 .)


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor.
On the broken surface.
A birds eye view?

Chuckling a bit at his Nephews words as he write Eugine just shrugged as he kept writing. "I'll do my best to not anger the earth anymore while I'm still on it - but I just hope the earth hates the Humans as much as it does us." Just nodding at the Sangheili has he offered them supplies, the medical gel much needed after the catastrophe had be-fallen them, he soon returned to his nearly finished entry. It was useless to try and estimate the amount of soldiers fallen so instead Eugine just recorded the events and the large set-back this had been for their assault. From where he was sitting the domes in the distance also seemed as if they we're still standing. Shame that. Looking up happily to see that the species of the Covenant we're working together. With a last few marks he looked up at the sky and hummed a bit, waiting until his Nephew had finished his order before tapping his staff on the ground a few times - thankfully not prodding the Chieftain in front of the Sangheili.

"We should contact the fleet, see if they can give us any updates on what the rest of the surface is like after this quake - maybe find us a way to enter the domes or if they can destroy them now."


Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion
Underground.
Back to pacing.

Hissing in pain as he finally awoke Tel was treated as best he could by Kael before he was forced to watch as Kael went back to the pacing she had been doing at the start of the mission. And just like the weeks before there was nothing he could do to help her as he tried to not move his hand that much and waiting for anything he could help with.

At least there was air down here...Kael needed to focus on that without her helmet or radio on. She needed to focus on anything that wasn't Roh reduced to armor and paste before they could talk...But she couldn't. All of her mind seemed to be devoted to showing her that image over and over again. The Lekgolo worming about as they did distracted her for awhile but unfortunately it made her think about what would have to be done to get Roh out if the worst had happened.

Glancing over at Til as he sat and waited for anything Kael rubbing her hands over her face before, without asking, sat herself down beside him and grumbled a bit before speaking more clearly.

"Little fluff better not be dead before I kill him....Do you have children Til?" She asked, equal parts worry and annoyance on her beak as she tried to do anything besides pace and worry.

[SuperCommando]

There was a muted sound of rushing wind in his ears as he kept his body ridged against the force buffeting him around. He focused on his breathing, his eyes closed since for the moment there was nothing to see anyway.

Damn... He’d been doing this for lord knows how many years and he still got butterflies in his stomach every time...

---

Protector, Tranquilitas Beta System
BETA Cluster

It had already felt like ages since the largest recorded earthquake in Protector’s history struck unexpectedly in the middle of the battle, even though in reality it had only been about half an hour ago. The chaos of the event was not something that was going to be resolved anytime soon either, as more and more problems kept arriving in the quake’s aftermath.

One such problem was hustling its way across the piles of debris now, borne on standard- issue combat boots and a sense of urgency.

“Colonel Killinger? Sir!” A young man waved his arm at the Marine officer as he cried out. The soldier approached quickly, stumbling in places as he rushed over and then snapped to attention, saluting the Colonel. “Private Stephen Callaway, sir! I, uh, apologize if this is a bad time. A civilian was trying to get through the combat zone, said he needed to deliver a message to the man in charge. My sergeant wouldn’t let him through, so he sent me to pass this on to you instead, sir.”

The private lifted a tablet he had been clutching this whole time and held it out to John.

“Hit the power button whenever you’re ready,” he added.

TAG(S): MrKill

---

Among the regrouping Covenant…

“GAARAATUUS!!!”

The fearsome cry boomed menacingly through the air not long after the Chieftain’s recent call to arms, causing several of the nearby Unggoy to yelp and jump with fright. From beyond, the now-typical sounds of digging had begun to take a more intense change, like there was some kind of commotion going on.

From the opposite side of a mountain of debris near Garatus, a Jiralhanae warrior scrambled to the top and urgently shouted down, “My Chieftain! There’s trouble among the ranks! It’s the Ragnus tribe, they’re berserking indiscriminately! Blood has been shed! We don’t—URK!!!”

A wicked blade-tip shot forth from the warrior’s midsection. He groaned as he looked in surprise down at the wound, but just as quickly as it struck the blade was savagely withdrawn. The warrior sank to his knees. Standing behind him was another Jiralhanae, clad in the armor of a Captain. The aggressor snarled, bloodlust in his eyes as he used his bare claws to reach around and rip out the warrior’s throat.

Blood arced through the air as the warrior’s corpse slid down the debris pile while his killer roared up at the sky.

“GAAARAATUUUUUUS!!!”

The Captain glared down at Garatus, his chest rising and falling with angry, growling breaths. His armor was stained with the blood of fellow Covenant, as was the Brute Shot held at his side in one arm. While he might appear as any other Captain, to fellow Jiralhanae there were telling clues to his identity. The distinctive necklace of fangs and scrap metal, the various bloodred beads strung along bundles of hair along his arms and neck, the tribe markings on his face and hands… he was of the Ragnus tribe, a particularly uncivilized lot known to pride themselves on savagery to the point of overkill, as well as for their powerful berserkers . A pack of their elite warriors were among the forces committed to this battle, and by all appearances they all seem to have completely lost any semblance of self-control.

“You… Garatus…” The Ragnus Captain growled, each syllable hissing with rage. “FIGHT MEEEE!!!”

He then charged down the debris pile directly at the Chieftain, screaming the whole way.

TAG(S): BetaWülf, Covenant Players

COVENANT EMERGANCY OBJECTIVE:
SUBDUE THE PACK OF RAMPAGING JIRALHANAE THROUGH REASON OR BY FORCE
SUB-OBJECTIVE (GARATUS-SPECIFIC): OVERCOME YOUR ASSAILANT

(Note: I'll be playing as the Ragnus Captain in PvP with Garatus)

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps.
A bloody fate awaits....

Garatus nodded at his Uncles words, wisdom seemed to seep from the Elder like sap from a tree. Strong sap that ran deep, and was solid and dependable to build with. Garatus thought on it for a moment, realizing he did not have a direct communications link to the fleet so he would need to find a device to work with. "I'll have to find a relay, we Jiralhanae aren't allowed direct links to the fleet... for now" Garatus said.

He began to walk with his hammer hefted on his shoulder in the direction of the nearest area with an antenna, but stopped dead in his tracks when he heard his name being called and scrabbling on the opposite side of a nearby rubble pile. Garatus turned to see a Jiralhanae Warrior climb over the top, frantically relaying information of dissent by the Ragnus Tribesmen. Before the Warrior could finish a blade punched through his gut, and was then ripped right back out. The loyal warrior dropped to his knees, and before Garatus could do anything his throat was ripped out.

Blood gushed out and was flung forward as the hand that delivered this disrespectful death retreated with the gruesome fistful. The victims body slid down the rubble and rolled to a stop at Garatus's own feet, the Chieftains lips retracting to show his glistening fangs and gums and his pupils went to slits. The Ragnus Warrior having roared Garatus's name all the while. The Ragnus Captain issued a rage slurred challenge to Garatus, before charging down the rubble with a continuous and deathly scream.

Garatus roared and hefted his hammer in his hands, before swinging it down at the base of the rubble mound to try and shift his opponents footing and disorient him. "I'll have your entire Tribe killed for this you bastard!" Garatus roared as his hammer fell.

T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.

Roh followed Eal, but stopped when Eal made a hold signal. Roh was pleased when he saw the Kig-yar shotgun getting passed over to Eal, and gracefully caught the weapon and the bandolier. He slipped his head and mane through the bandolier and onto his shoulder, before examining the weapon. It was a good quality and the weight was nice, and it was already fully stocked of ammunition, though a shell hadn't been chambered yet. Perfection.

Roh smirked when Eal stated they were 'going scouting', this would be something worth his time. "Most excellent" Roh said before chambering a shell.

[LaxKnight]

PFC Jennifer Killinger 

14th Armored Co. 

Getting Hard to Breathe 

Jenny heard her father over the com. “Alright. I’ll be here,” she said over the com.

There wasn’t much going on for a while but she began feeling tired. There was the occasional movement of rock as things shifted around but there was nothing worth noting going on. It was just her sitting in a tank trapped by rubble. She turned off the very annoying alarm. It was giving her a headache. She simply sat in her tank, arms crossed. She noticed that the sound of shifting rocks was beginning to become more frequent but she just felt more tired.

That was when Jenny noticed the black on the edge of her vision but she was just too tired to care. And the headache didn't go away either. She tried to take a deep breath but it felt different. She coughed. Was it getting hard to breathe in here? “Hey dad,” she said over the com, “I think there’s something wrong. I don’t know. Hard to think. A nap sounds good right now…”

The last sentence trailed off as her eyes closed. A new alarm in her tank went off but it didn’t wake her. On the caution/advisory panel a light began blinking. It said LOW OXYGEN.

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai
Under the Lesser Airfield
Entertaining the company

Til moved his helmed head only slightly when Kael sat next to him but he refrained from moving from his meditative position. Hearing her mumbles and grumbles, the Field Marshal remained silent till being spoken to...about his own children. ‘Muramai released a understanding sound rippling from his throat and turned his mask’s beak-shaped front to let the Champion know he was listening, “Yes. Twin boys; Mahi and T’ruk to my...former wife. Grown now and serving as officers now.” He said, silent for a moment before adding, “I worry for them as any good father would but I have faith that the Gods and Spirits will watch over where their own skill or as you say ‘luck’ may run out.”

As he say this, Til observed his soldiers keeping themselves by preparing and making their arms and protection was as fit as they could possibly make it, sharing tales with another, and encourage the other despite species or personal belief. Right now, they were all in the tomb. In the end, Death was blind to all things as long as it reaped the inevitable souls into its talons. 

On that point, his head moved to a distant sound over the grinding of Lekgolo burrowing through rock. Sounded like....focus cannons. Clicking his mandibles once, the Field Marshal kept his hopes contained and looked forward again. “And you, Mistress Gel?”

Not too far, the Locusts were burrowing like metallic insects through the lift tunnels; front limbs dragging and throwing debris out from behind them where their lasers couldn't pierce efficiently, making it bigger for the future invasion with one of the last Destroyer lumbering to the disturbed battlefield menacingly after the Kig-yar corvette vanished in a slipspace escape.

[SuperCommando]

Ragnus Tribe Captain
Bloodlust Requiem

"You think death concerns us now?!" The bloodthirsty assailant cried in response as he closed the gap between himself and Garatus. "Nothing matters anymore!"

As Garatus brought his hammer down, the Captain took advantage of his higher position on the debris slope and executed a reckless leap with all his might, vaulting over the hammer and avoiding it's impact. Bits of crushed debris exploded into the air in a cloud of dust as the airborne Ragnuswarrior hurled directly at Garatus!

"THIS WORLD IS DOOMED ANYWAY!!!"

The Captain angled his shoulder as he flew, attempting to tackle Garatus to the ground like a living wrecking ball.

TAG(S): BetaWülf

[Faclan]

(NPC)Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo.
Separating from the main force.
Les see what we can find.

Weaving his head a bit at the cocking sound from the R-4, such a proper sound of impending combat, Eal smiled. He could see that Roh did indeed know how to handle the rifle, and had put the bandoleer on properly, so far so good. Though he was the Mistresses son, so good was to be at least expected there. Squinting through his helmet he hummed a bit as he looked over at where they came from and the underground...trying to report back would be difficult with standard helmet or shoulder microphones. Shrugging a little he slung his Needle Rifle onto his back and squawked out to get the attention of a common Kig-Yar spotter with a large backpack on. While normally Eal wouldn't have command over the forces main Kig-Yar the female wasn't doing anything now and he had need of her and her equipment. The female nodding and jogging over with her carbine, plasma pistol, and larger radio on.

"Talz! You're coming with us for scouting, just in case we need your bigger radio to reach the other forces if we find anything." The female nodded and quickly moved over to be with the group as Roh nodded again, though he turned his head around when some roars came from the camp, but then shrugged and looked back forward again. "Probably some dumb furballs arguing over hammer sizes, come on. We have passages to find and Humans to slice up." Doing a quick check of his long dagger and then sheathing it Eal smirked and started off at a run after making sure his rifle was secured to his back.

The small bird Kig-Yar file heading back toward the deployment zone of the Covenant, thankfully all with the good night vision of their species so they could explore pretty sneakily in the underground.


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Hobbling toward the shouting.
Trying to get into position.

Having been dragged further away from the split in the earth and into the impromptu medical zone the Covenant had set up Cad was mostly just laying down on the earth and trying to breath steadily. His leg had been somewhat splinted and mostly just had some Rudak gel applied to it to numb the pain. But Cad was being kept awake by the still not inconsiderate pain and the shouting of the wounded. But soon a roar sounded over all of that...and it was trying to kill Garatus.

Propping himself up on his elbows and then sitting up Cad looked out across the ground and just saw a Jiralhanae shape fall to the ground from on top of a large mound of debris and another on top of it, shouting about Garatus and the doom of this world. The armored mound below it raised the hammer in challange and they seemed to quickly engage in battle.

He couldn't let his best friend engage in challenge against a traitor to the Covenant and to his own species like that. Regardless if there was some kind of tradition for this the other would likely cheat. Staggering to his feet Cad clamped his beak shut a quiet hissing sound could be heard from it. But after a bit of limping he had managed to exit the zone, grab his needler, and head over toward the battle zone. Barely noticing the Jiralhanae Elder as he ran past him Cad charged his Needler as he approached, eyes narrowed at the challenger as he did his best to keep moving.

It was surprising that no-one was stopping the Kig-Yar, but everyone else seemed to be busy watching the fight or helping their fellows, so the Major kept walking in the open toward them with weapon held ready but not up and pointed yet.


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor.
On the broken surface.
Going to prepare the pack for the extermination...or final stand.

Rolling his eyes a bit as his nephew let him know that they had no-way to contact the fleet Eugine started to pack up his journal and writing utensils.

"Foolish that, Rukt would hope that after we proved ourselves on that last planet to be faithful to the proper path and willing to put aside the rage and chance for bloody advancement they would trust us. One day they will rue holding us back so m.." But that was as far as he could before the shouting and roaring started. The situation rather quickly evolving and going to all kinds of hell as the death challange was laid out. Eugine having a brief moment of though that his big mouth had once again yeilded terrible results before he got himself into proper gear. Hauling himself to his feet he made no move to get his weapon as the two were about to start fighting. Instead he waved his staff a little and muttered a quiet prayer, pointing at Garatus after waving the staff, before speaking.

"Rukt give you the strength needed to squash this fool in his name. I will gather the pack for the Eradication of the unholy challengers." Eugine and the rest of the Jiralhanae knew not to interfere with this solo duel to the death. So instead Euigne turned from the fight and jogged off to rally the pack, those that could be spared at least. The Elder missing Cad staggering past him as he went to get the rest of the troops.


Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion
Underground.
Advice?...

Glancing at Til occasionally as she sat there Kael was starting to wonder if he would respond at all. Al he was doing was just sitting there with his helmet pointed at nothing in particular as their underground cocoon gave a rumble a few debris shifted, but then quieted down again. But the Sangheili finally spoke up and Kael just nodded a little as she listened, but she shook her head a bit when he finished as she looked down at her dented wrist blade bracers.

"Luck isn't a large part of the Gel way of life. Its down to your training and your skill to see you through challenges. And if all else fails you hope Aecor thinks well of you as a last resort, but Luck is for the unskilled and the weak...not for a Gel." She trailed off a little as she looked back at the shaft of light of the elevator then back to Til. "Never thought of you as a family man however Field Marshal, but glad to hear that your children are alive and serving...then again I'm probably not the best example of a parent either. But I also hav...had two chicks." She took a deep breath after that, looking down at the floor as she ran her hands over her head a bit before continuing. Normally a person asking about her chicks would get a few broken bones of they were lucky...but after seeing Roh fight and now having him possibly dead Kael was wracked with guilt that she hadn't done her duty as a Matron or Mother to him. But after some breathing and rubbing she looked ahead before speaking, her file dead silent as she spoke, all of them aware of how hard this was for their Mistress.

"Two, a girl then a boy....Qesa loved the idea of flight, and wanted to be a pilot...but when she was on an experience flight in the Eyan system a Human ONI craft showed up and all I could do was watch as her vessel was destroyed before my eyes." She let her head fall into her heads at this, doing her best to not cry and managing to make it with just a few pained breaths before continueing - her beak still down. "That made me keep enlisting...to find those Humans and make them pay for their murdering. I've gotten so close...But I left Roh in the care of my Mama as I searched for that Human crew. And now hes here...and I think he is right to hate me."

After that Kael went silent as she couldn't hold on anymore, a few tears visible around her claws as she kept looking at the ground. Maybe she was hoping to feel better since she shared the tale, or maybe she hoped Til would have some insight into the problem, either way her file remained silent as the other troops watched the very odd interaction between their two commanders.

(Poor Kael D: .)

[MrKill]

Colonel John Killinger
Seventh Marines
Kristopher Airfield [collapsed]

John was already rummaging through his rucksack to find his oxygen mask. The atmosphere had been dropping rapidly, and his daughters message only made it more concerning. John knew that if he didn't get her out of there she would eventually faint. The planets atmosphere wasn't low enough to cause sophistication, but buried in rubble made it all that much worse. She would eventually die, if not by lack of oxygen, by the lack of food and water.

Once his mask was securely on his face he spoke, "Marines. How's it going in there?"

"We're making progress, sir! Another ten minutes at the most and this tanker will be out. No other bodies have been found just yet." The Sergeant replied, but her tone was full of doubt. He could see the rubble crumbling down with every rock the two moved. He'd give them awards for their actions, volunteering to do the job when no one else was able to do it. Hopefully they saved another Marine in the progress.

"Sir.. I.. uh, I don't have an oxygen mask." The youngster informed.

John wasn't quick to reply, but he ended up giving his mask to the young Marine, but a moment later another Marine scrambled through the debris, slipping in a few places but managed to - for what John could see - keep his balance. When he arrived he reported, but John reflexively ducked when the Private saluted, but relaxed as he remembered the Covenant had been forced to disengage. They couldn't see the salute, but there was a moment where his heart skipped a beat.

"Private," John said calmly. "Don't salute officers in a combat zone. You just potentially painted a target on me. If you can fit through that hole, can you help the two Marines on the other side? The rest of us are two big to crawl through." John said, accepting the tactical pad. He hit the power button and a moment later the device booted up. The connection, however, was sketchy. He couldn't see the civilian on the other side, and static was already starting to crackle through.

"Can we amplify this signal?" The Colonel asked the Private that had shown up. "Or perhaps grant this man access to a secure channel with me?"

"Sir, take a few breaths." The young Marine John had given the mask to said. He handed the mask over, John took a deep breath, and handed it back.

"Stay alert. You need to be more aware right now than I do. Every five minutes we'll switch off so I can get a breath." The veteran Marine added.

John sighed and waited to see if the Private would be of assistance.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus.

Garatus snarled at the Ragnus Captain's words, murder in the Chieftains eyes. "Well as long as it wont inconvenience you, Heretic!" Garatus bellowed in response. When his hammer hit the ground a huge cloud was produced by the great force. Through the cloud the shape of the Ragnus Captain emerged and slammed into Garatus shoulder first, knocking the Chieftain to the ground.

"You damned fool, we are the executioners! We are the ones dooming this world!" Garatus said as he grappled with the Ragnus Captain, clawing savagely at the Heretics face. "If you surrender now, I'll spare your Tribe! If not, I'll kill every last soul, not even the children will escape my wrath if you do not cede to me!" Garatus roared, using the haft of his hammer to push the Ragnus Captain back.


T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.

Roh was quite pleased with the current happenings, soon he would be fighting or exploring, two of the most time honored Kig-yar practices. Roh watched with interest as the common Kig-yar approached, clunky backpack swaying as she walked towards them. Roh aimed his head upwards and bobbed his head vertically and produced an Avian chortle from his throat in response to Eal's joke about the Jiralhanae.

Roh took a moment to check his weaponry, unsheathing his Khopesh blades and giving them each a twirl, before checking his Gel blade and Hul injector. He already knew the R-4 was ready to go, so when Eal started off Roh sheathed his blades and started off after him. This would be good practice, and if all went well he could be that much closer to a promotion and moving up within the Covenant and his Clan respectively.

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til ‘Muramai
Under the Lesser Airfield
The Hollow Cry

Til nodded in agreement of ‘Luck’s position in their lives. Luck had little purpose to the Sangheili when they were loyal servants of the Gods, true believers and their divine boon shall grace them in life and death. When Kael started to talk about her own offspring, the Field Marshal looked down at the smaller female and nodded in occasion to her talk. Then the mention of this ‘ONI’ or Seekers as Sangheili officials call them, the Muram officer knew these black-armored spies and assassins well enough. His anger bristled abit but he calmed just as quick. They were human, very skilled creatures that use their cultural-developed attributes well and Reticence have hunted a few, including that one mistake on the Seekers’ part is the reason they are here.

“If it is a crime to be detached from your children due to duty, then every Sangheili would be imprisoned in that case.” He said simply. “Nor is it heretical or...abominable to seek vengeance for your child’s murder by the enemy. It gives you more reason to fight and win this war or die trying in her honor. As for your son...” Til thought about this for a moment, imagining if his own children was here in this situation. He honestly felt nothing prominent, it was be similar to having Tibur or his own nephews in this army, which they are. Til was always, or like to think himself as, fair. His children would be treated as any other soldier under his command; Sangheili, Jiralhanae, Kig-yar, Unggoy. As his soldiers and children of the battlefield. Every death hurts inside his hardened exterior and every time they left the field to replenish, he’ve tried to train the troops to better themselves for better chances.

“You will stitch your lost comradeship on the battlefield by giving him the loving orders of a true commander while he return such with fierce loyalty and desire to live the next day with you at his side. As I do with every last one of you, no matter your species or birth. I try to keep you all alive, with only this damnable planet and the Humans’ experiences as my own fallibility to my goal. Even now, I think about all of the soldiers under my command, even those who weren’t during my rise to this rank, and with their Spirits at my back, I thrive to fight. Not just for my self, but for the Covenant and my soldiers!” The Sangheili finished with a deep inhale and mechanical exhale that made his neck-braced mechanism whine out. “To march together is a honor few recognize anymore, for Death is blind for such distinctions.”

Til was somewhat aware of his directive in the conversation but it was an instinctive thing for him. Recognizing it, he gave out a bestial snort that made his armored neck flex out thickly before breathing outward, “I believe your birth-child is alive through that rubble and he will emerge. Maybe bruised, maybe crippled, maybe severely hurt but it matters not. What matters is seeing each other for a embrace when the smoke of ruin is clear and direct your anger proper...as my old friend Suf say; ‘Hug and cry but do that when at camp’. Understand that was usually directed for Unggoy, being the sensitive creatures that they are.” A raspy echo of a chuckle ripped out of his helmet before a hand pressed at the Sangheili’s chest as he coughed out abit violently. Got a little too excited there.

Council of Tapuva Mytu Dibo [NPC]
Under the Lesser Airfield 
Breaking through labor


 A small intertwined collection of Lekgolo ate through the last of the rock blocking their path, squirming and resonating an alarming signal to the rest of the council of their progression before slithering down and between rocks like a orange hydra of the distributed species dwelling on mid-rim Sangheili training worlds. The size of a human's earthly snake with a multitude of tails, they moved along with more of their gestalt's kin, sensing of the enemy's process while slowly gathering together under cover, using the loose rocks as the shaping of their collective in due time. Their following bond brother silent at the waiting for a report...and/or danger to the twin, spines twitching and using its focused nexus for the humans beyond its rocky barrier.  

[RiddL]

Staff Sergeant Kai -wolf- Blacklock
153rd ODST

Kai looked at the remains of the building he was on and frowned in annoyance. He had left his MRE in there half eaten and now there was no chance he was going to get it now.

He let out a sigh and started looking for another place to set up frowning as he saw more and more buildings too unstable to even consider climbing up. He ran around and saw a building that looked unstable and gave a sigh, putting his rifle on the magnet strips in his back as he started climbing up, testing each handhold to see if it would give, which to his surprise only one such handhold did. He scaled up the building until he was near the top and climbed through a shattered window.

He landed on his stomach and let out a muffled oomph as the wind was driven from his lungs, he slowly got to his feet and scanned the room, giving a light chuckle as he saw a refrigerator and remembered his half eaten MRE.

He put his rifle by a broken piece of the wall and walked to the fridge, opening the door to reveal something that he hadn't eaten since he was last on earth.

"I've hit the holy grail!" He said in an excited voice as he pulled out some bacon that someone had cooked and placed into the fridge conveniently for his belly.

He closed the fridge with his foot as he turned and sat down at a chair, watching over the tunnel entrances as he happily ate the godly food.

(NPC) Sergeant Sergei Toombs

Sergei looked down the tunnel that Titan had gone down and had a worried look on his face that was hidden by his helmet

"If he's dead, I swear I'll kill him..." He muttered under his breath as he carried a barrel full of water towards a storage bunker that held another 23 such barrels of the liquid. A marine looked over at the ODST and adjusted his rebreather nervously, as of the black clad soldier would hit him at the slightest hint of anger.

Sergei carefully put the barrel down along with the others and quickly jogged to grab anotger, all the while hoping his friend hadn't been crushed by the collapse of the tunnel.

(Ooc, MrKill on previous page had one of my characters speak directly to you, stuck until otherwise. End OOC)

[SuperCommando]

Pvt Stephen Callaway – NPC

The young private visibly winced and tore his upraised arm down to his side in a blur upon being chastised by Colonel Killinger on his absent-mindedness. Between his helmet and oxygen mask only his eyes were visible, but the sheepish expression they held was enough to reveal his guilt at having made such a rookie mistake in front of such a high-ranking officer. The poor kid’s inexperience couldn’t be more obvious. As such, he jumped at the chance to redeem himself when Killinger asked for his help.

“Y-yessir, Colonel!” he said, almost snapping his hand up to salute again but stopping himself partway. “I’ll, uh, get right on that…”

He handed over the tactical pad and then hustled over to the hole, but in his haste he didn’t get more than two steps before tripping over his own feet. He practically dived face-first into the ground.

“Oof…!” he groaned. “I’m okay…”

Meanwhile, the tactical pad in Killinger’s hands began to boot up. It was a fairly large touch-screen tablet and as such had no actual buttons on the front, but it did have a small laptop-style webcam. After a short loading screen, a video chat program opened automatically. The image of a person was visible, but it was blurry and suffered from extreme lag. The tablet’s speakers buzzed with static.

"Can we amplify this signal? Or perhaps grant this man access to a secure channel with me?” the Colonel requested.

Private Callaway was already halfway into the hole by then. He managed to fit through since his physique was scrawnier than the average Marine male, not to mention by the look of him he had to be under 20 years old, likely fresh out of boot camp. At Killinger’s words, he immediately began to shuffle back out.

“Yes sir Colonel Killinger, no problem! I’ll be right there!” The young man quickly returned to Killinger’s side and took back the tactical pad.

“Leave it to me Colonel. I’m actually training to be an electronics technician, sir,” he said as he deftly navigated through several windows and fiddled with the settings. Within moments, upon bringing the video chat back on screen it was now working perfectly. “There! You’re good to go, sir.”

The Private handed the pad back to Killinger, and then hurried back to the hole and started to help excavate the tank.

On the tablet’s screen, a man could be seen sitting at a sleek black desk, his elbows resting upon it with fingers interlocked in front of his close-trimmed stubble. He wore a blue suit with a golden tie, and had his dark hair slicked back. The background behind him was a grand view of multiple skyscrapers seen through a massive window.

“So…” the man said, eyes locked onto Killinger’s through the camera. “You must be Colonel John Killinger, I trust? I told the military I wanted to speak to the man in charge of the ground operation. I wanted to see for myself the one responsible for the defense of our fair colony and its people.” He paused for a moment to study the other man. “Do you know who I am, Colonel?”

With a heave, Private Callaway managed to shove yet another chunk of debris out of the way. From there, he was able to worm his way onto the front of the tank and reach the hatch, but could not yet open it wider than a small gap.

“Hello?” he said, trying to peer inside and assess the situation. He spotted Jenny’s unconscious form and tried to call out to her over the sound of the alarm. “Hello? Ma’am, wake up! Can you hear me? We almost have you out of here, just hold on a little longer!”

TAG(S): MrKill, LaxKnight

---

Ragnus Tribe Captain – NPC

The rampaging Jiralhanae crashed with Garatus to the ground, grappling and clawing at each other with savage ferocity and the intent to kill. One of Garatus’s swipes caught the Captain in the face, causing him to bellow out in pain and recoil back. A splash of hot blood splattered upon Garatus before he used his hammer to shove the Ragnus warrior away.

The Captain was flung back, rolling across the debris-strewn ground. He quickly recovered however, coming to a stop on his hands and knees. He lifted his head, one hand covering the left side of his face, and a stream of blood could be seen trickling through his fingers.

“Heh…” he growled, undaunted by the Chieftain’s threats. “You truly do not understand, do you Garatus? Indeed, how can you? Only to we of the Ragnus tribe has the truth been made clear!”

With a yell, the Captain charged at Garatus once again. He removed the hand covering his face in order to grip his Brute Shot with both hands, revealing his left eye had been reduced to an oozing empty socket. Yet the wound did not deter the angry Jiralhanae from unleashing a flurry of blows, rapidly slashing over and over with the blade running along the underside of his weapon.

“The Covenant may have come here as conquerors… yet nothing can stand against what is to come!” he shouted between heavy slashes. “These are the end times, Garatus! There is nothing we can do… nothing… but revel in the chaos!”

On his final strike, the one-eyed Ragnus Captain aimed for the haft of Garatus’s hammer, to lock the weapons together and push hard with all his raw strength. There was a crack in the ground nearby, caused by the recent quake and large enough for someone the size of a Jiralhanae to fall into. The Captain’s muscles bulged beneath his fur as he strained to move Garatus closer to it.

“Tell me, noble Chieftain,” he mockingly hissed with palpable disdain. “When I kill you, here and now, after I crush your skull with your own hammer… which of your dearest friends shall I slaughter next!?”

TAG(S): BetaWülf

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus.
To do, or die.

Garatus growled with satisfaction when the blood of his enemy splattered across his armor and face, but recoiling swipe caught the Chieftain across his left cheek. Garatus slowly brought himself into a standing position once more, the Ragnus Warrior doing the same(if not a bit faster.) Garatus scoffed at the Ragnus Captain's words, rather self important in the Chieftains opinion. "Well, if you all know so much, would you care to enlighten us lesser Jiralhanae?" Garatus said mockingly, though curious still about this supposed truth they knew.

Garatus let out a stout roar as the Ragnus Captain charged, the Heretic taking both hands to wield his bruteshot and revealing his bleeding hollow. Garatus used his robust arm-shield to block the veritable storm of attacks from his opponent, grunting as he moved to protect himself from each blow. One stray swing caught him in the upper arm, crossing a previous scar and making an X just below his shoulder.

Garatus growled in annoyance at the painful wound, and barked out viciously when the Ragnus Warrior's bruteshot interlocked with his own hammer. The Captain was pushing hard, edging Garatus ever closer to the gouge in the ground behind him. Garatus pushed back, hard as he could, but with his strain from pulling up his Uncle earlier coupled with the fighting he was losing ground. At the Ragnus Warrior's words of killing Garatus's friends, the Chieftain let out a roar like thunder, grabbing the Ragnus Captain's Pauldron and pulling with all his might tried to yank him at the gap in the earth.

[SuperCommando]

Ragnus Tribe Captain – NPC

Garatus’s bloodthirsty opponent, consumed with driving the Chieftain towards the gap, was caught momentarily off-guard when Garatus seized his pauldron and gave a mighty pull. The savage Ragnus Captain found himself yanked towards the gap instead, and his own forward momentum caused him to stagger directly up to the chasm’s edge. He dug in his feet, sliding to a stop as a spray of pebbles went flying over the edge. Although the depth wasn’t overly great – perhaps only a little over a body length’s deep – the bottom of the pit was littered with broken chunks of concrete with dangerous-looking rebar sticking out like spikes.

The Ragnus Captain quickly turned to look with his good eye over his shoulder and leveled his Brute Shot at Garatus to deter pursuit. He then glanced back and forth between Garatus and the gap, realizing the precariousness of his position between the two.

He was trapped.

He glared at Garatus, his chest heaving from both rage and assertion. Despite his bloodlust, the Captain clearly retained enough wits to know when to tread carefully.

“Grrr… Very well Chieftain, I shall humor you with one final tale before your inevitable demise…” the Ragnus warrior slowly began to sidestep, keeping his eyes locked on Garatus as he attempted to creep away from the gap. “There is a great story passed down among the Ragnus Tribe for countless generations. Long ago during the ancient times when our people had achieved space travel, one crew of explorers went traveling far beyond all the rest, searching for enlightenment among the stars. They discovered a desolate, forsaken world of dark sands and jagged rocks, one so harsh there was no life and almost no air to breathe…”

As he continued to slowly edge sideways, the Captain kept his Brute Shot trained on Garatus. He turned his body so only one side could be seen by the Chieftain as he continued to weave his tale in a deep, rumbling voice. “Then, they were caught in a devastating earthquake, the fury of which had never been felt before. The very ground beneath their feet was torn asunder, and then the skies were filled with flame. Before them appeared a terrible spirit – the Great Spirit Ragnus, Lord of Fire, for which our tribe took its name. The spirit’s insatiable wrath obliterated mountains and bathed the land in a burning inferno. Only a handful of explorers managed to escape and return home to Doisac, for in the trials of fire the Great Spirit judged their hearts to be as ruthless as the flame, thus they were spared.”

TAG(S): BetaWülf

[Faclan]

(NPC)Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo.
Separating from the main force.
So, boy.

Smiling at Roh's weaponry as they went the file soon arrived back at the landing strip they first landed. A bit more walking got them to the entrance to one of the Human undergrounds. If any of the birds could read the knocked over sign they would see that this lead to the subway and by extensions its tunnels Hopping over the mostly ruined railings to the stairs Eal squinted down into the darkness after he landed. Nodding at his two underlings as he heads down into the still lightly lit corridor before turning a corner and entering the darkness.

Stopping Eal tapped his radio and it was already starting to get staticy, but a nod from the just visible outline of Talz that her equipment was still working great as the Murmillo leant back against the twisted railing as the burds waited for their eyes to adjust to the darkness. Pulling a little device from his pocket Eal huhed a bit as he showed the small screen to his new cell members. The air was being circulated down here and was nearing the safe levels for operation. "Probably fully breathable in the tunnels we saw when we were waiting down here." Eal said as he tapped his helmet to slow the flow of air to his own sealed helmet, try to save so of his supply as he shrugged a bit and looked over to Roh. He knew he was The Mistresses son but he didn't know much else besides that, and not being a Gel himself there were quite a few questions he had wanted to ask about their lands but The Mistress was often too busy to answer them.

"So, Roh - I'll refrain from calling you chick as I've heard that you're quite the warrior. Care to answer some questions while we wait?" Without waiting for a response, as they had the time before they could move out, Eal just went on with the questions. "What was it like, growing up as a Gel? As a chick I was told about them through tales of combat and slaughter, so what actually happened - never been to their lands except for when I arrived to test for The Mistresses Entourage?" He asked, seeming to be genuinely interested in that info, despite the fact that Roh grew up a lot in Hul as well (Not that Eal knew that). Pointing at Rohs head over his mask and then his fingers he shrugged a bit. "Also never seen Tattoo's like that before on a Gel, any reason for that? Or for your rings?...Is that a Hul Signet?" He asked, now looking pretty confused through his helmet as he slipped the air reader back into his belt, all their eyes nearly adjusted. Talz just leaned silently against the wall as she looked down into the Subway station slowly coming into focus.

(Feel free to have the group move off in your post BetaW)


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Interfering with the Jiralhanae battle.
Pinkness then blackness.

A bit more limping and Cad had made it so where he could actually see the fight currently being fought. His eyes slightly watering now as he limped onward on his broken leg, but he could see clearly enough to see that Garatus was indeed in this fight and his opponent looked blood crazed. Glancing down as his Needler as he kept going he opened up the bottom arm and shut down the seeking properties of the weapon; so he wouldn't hit his friend as easily. This also had the benfit of speeding up the Needlers as it wouldn't need to track anymore. The Needler turned into an essentially full automatic Needle Pistol as Cad looked up to see how close he was.

He was within fifteen feet if that, both of the large fur mounds fighting for control over the right to shove the other into a death pit by the looks of it. Sinking down to be resting against a rock Cad did his best to steady his shooting hand with his other hand as he sighted past the Needles toward the enemy Jiralhanae. Taking a few seconds to breath and steady his shot through the pink haze he aimed at the enemys torso, luckly both of them were sideways now so he could hoepfully actually hit the enemy. He heard some kind of shout of no but he paid it no heed and fired. His vision filled with pink flashes as he let a long burst speed toward the enemy Jirlahanae, before a brown cylinder slammed down onto his shooting arm, cracking his forearm, and then zooming toward his snout.

The Kig-Yar barely had time to start to squawk in pain before the staff smacked into his beak, and Cad collapsed backwards on to the earth knocked out.

(Up to you SC if you are hit, poor Cad D: )


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor.
On the broken surface.
Bringing the pack and dispensing justice.

"No!" Eugine roared as he saw Garatus' little Kig-Yar pet take aim at the honor duel between his Nephew and the captain. The Elder running as quick as he could to try and stop the foolish boy from despoiling Garatus' name. But he wasn't fast enough, so instead decided to punish the small alien for his disrespect of their culture with two quick wacks that laid the Kig-Yar low to the earth, breathing but injured as Engine snapped his head up to see what damage had been wrought by the un-honorable attack.

Gathering the Pack, that were now standing in a large semi-circle and watching the battle, had taken longer than Euigne had wanted. Many were busy with other jobs but once he had explained that it was a Honor duel for Tribe ownership many of them left their jbos and headed over. A few were still working on getting their comrades out of the splits but all the higher ranks in the Pack were present. Eugine now carefully watching the Kig-Yar as well as the fight as he silently cheered on his Newphew...they didn't need this fight now. Not when they had already spoiled the last mission with their constant fighting. It was times like this when Eugine wondered why there hadn't been a second immolation if his species were this bloodthirsty sometimes.

Growling a bit Eugine double checked that the foolish Kig-Yar was breathing before looking back at the battle...his career path as a Historian likly biasing him against these kinds of duels and the violence of his people. But he had to admit to himself it was exhilarating to see those two strong warriors battle to the end...even if the pink shards may end it quickly and likely ruin it...


Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion
Underground.
Pleased and plans.

Kael had stopped crying. But she kept looking down at the floor as Til had his little monologue. In truth Kael was only half listening to it, listening out for keywords about herself or Roh. But when he was finished she finally looked up, the tears gone from her face and back to a more neutral expression as she smiled a little. Or as much as she could with a beak as she nodded. "They are, always wailing or crying about something." She said, in reference to the Unggoy comment as she nodded a little, looking at Til as she did something Til likely wouldn't expect from her. Dipping her beak down again she learnt forward and tapped her nasal bone, right between her eyes, to the front of Til's beak helmet before returning to her seated position as she just gave a simple 'Thank you' as she sat back on her crackling rock chair. Her personal file a bit stunned at the show of trust, appreciation, and possible affection - but knowing they would never speak of it.

"You're right, he will survive and I'll move him into my Entourage for surviving this, and continuing to seek our Humans to slaughter despite our set-back. Once hes there we will work out our differences and make sure Gel has a future. And of course hunt down the Humans responsible and slightly butchering the lot of them!" Thumping her fist into her knee Kael seemed to be focused again as she hopped off her seat and moved to chest on the progress of the Lekgolo on their escape and chase hole.

Her file looked over at Til a bit, a bit confused at to what just happened before they just bowed their heads and went back to their tasks. But Tel also thanked the Field Marshal in a whisper before tending to his damaged arm.

(Hopefully Til is ok with some touchin P: )

[SuperCommando]

Ragnus Tribe Captain - NPC

"...Do you see now, Garatus!?" barked the one-eyed Ragnus Captain, working himself into a frenzy as he continued preaching his impassioned monologue. "The earthquake just now, it was a sign! Surely you can see that! This world, it is exactly as the old tales describe! This... is fate! I feel it in my bones! The Great Spirit Ragnus is rising again, mark my words! We must-- AHH!"

Out of nowhere, a pink blur flashed by.

Before he could conclude recounting his revelation and its implications to Garatus, Cad's salvo of needles skewered the Captain mid-sentence like a hail of knives. The Ragnus Jiralhanae had been so consumed with his own storytelling that he lost situational awareness beyond his opponent, and on top of that the attack came from the side blinded by the Chieftain's claw earlier. He didn't stand a chance.

One after another in rapid succession the crystalline shards pierced his hide and armor, causing him to drop his Brute Shot and stagger back, screaming with surprise, pain, and panic.

"Garatus...! Blood! You must... GAAAAAHHH!!!"

The flailing Captain's foot slipped from the edge of the gap, and the large warrior toppled backwards and dissapeared into the pit. Half a moment later, a cloud of pink mist rose up from the chasm from the resulting supercombine detonation.

TAG(S): BetaWülf, Faclan

COVENANT EMERGANCY SUB-OBJECTIVE:
GARATUS - OVERCOME YOUR ASSAILANT
COMPLETE!

[BasedGoody]

Unggoy Ultra Yaddap

"By the Prophets!" Yaddap yelped as he watched Garatus' attacker drop off the edge. A flow of bright mist was the only thing left of the Jiralhanae. Yad laid over the edge of a sand dune watching the battle, making sure to be unseen by the mass in front of him. The Unggoy's file had been making their way to the Chieftain for a long time, the only thing stopping them being the earthquake. Luckily for them, the sand cloud that resulted was their only halting factor. Yaddap remembered it vividly.

-Flashback-

"Yad, do you feel that?" Tabban uttered as he stood straight into the air, alert. All three Unggoy had been walking along the planet on their way to receive orders, yet the movement had grown so dull that the cannon fodder had all gotten tired. The Ultra however, did indeed feel the ground beneath them moving and had stopped alongside his two remaining soldiers. The shaking grew and threw Yaddap off his feet. Judded yelped in fear, covering his head in his hands. 

Yaddap could feel the rumbling in his ears, and as his eyes reopened all he could see were the grains of sand around him. He yelled out for his men, but could only hear the light smacking of the ground against his helmet. The Ultra put out his hands in front of him but could barely see his fingertips. He pushed himself to his feet, but quickly stumbled backwards and fell upon his pack, rolling to his side. Yad shut his eyes once again and prayed for the end of the quake.

After what felt like an eternity, the sand dipped down into place on the ground. Yaddap felt a light tapping on his shoulder.

"Sir! We are alive, should we keep moving?" The familiar voice of Judded questioned in his childlike voice.

-Present Time-

Yaddap stood far from the circle of beasts and watched as the Chieftain stood victorious. Judded and Tabban whispered in shock at the display before them. It slowly became clear who dealt the finishing blow... A Kig-Yar.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Seventh Marines
Kristopher Airfield

John mentally sighed at the man on the video screen, scratching at his right eyebrow with his pointer finger on his free hand. Why do people think I know everyone? I'm a fucking Colonel, not a god he thought to himself. The 'from the looks of it' politician introduced himself in a way that made John assumed he was a high ranking political figure located within one of the domes; and he seemed to be full of himself assuming that everyone knew his reputation or name. He must of been working for the local government. If not, perhaps he was someone with vast connections and material wealth. What he wanted with the Veteran Marine officer was still, unfortunately, unknown to John.

"I'm not the man in charge," John corrected. "That would be the UNSC Army garrison's commanding officer... but, I haven't gotten any word from him since the earthquake." John added. He took a few second to analyze the mans glare and returned his own. "What do you need?"

John muted his end of the microphone with on on-screen button he tapped. He leaned against the hole the three Marines had gone through to lend assistance to any Marine, but specifically his daughter, they could dig out. He heard the Private call out his daughters name, something that spiked motivation into John's heart. He had hope, but swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat.

"Pull her out and through the hole, dig for more Marines that were nearby. We don't have much time left." John said, worried that they'd all end up fainting with the lack of oxygen like Jenny did.

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

Captain Kelvin Duncan

1/7, 53rd CE, A Co

Stuck between a rock..and another rock apparently 

Protector, Tranquilius Beta System

The dust had long since settle, and the damage to the tunnel clear, as the platoon of marines that Duncan was with organized themselves. Pieces of the ceiling piled themselves in locations around the tunnel, forming natural defensive barricades in the tunnel. Course light was shining down on them from the gaping holes in the top of the tunnel. Some of the tunnel had somehow managed to stay together¹ which caused the tunnel to look like something out of a old school war movie. Duncan's men used a particular pile that was pinned up against one of the walls as a RV.

Unable to find Benson however, Duncan looked to a marine that had taken cover with him. "Marine, go find Lieutenant Benson for me." He commanded, before setting a waypoint with his partial working H.U.D. on the pile that 3rd platoon was now starting to surround. Duncan climbed up onto the pile as he started to perform a headcount, after a short time, he found that there were eight marines missing including one 2nd Lt. Benson.

"Captain, Benson's pinned sir!" rang out from the other side of the tunnel, as the engineers rushed to the sound of the voice to help their Lt. Duncan followed behind the swarm and pushed his way through, to find a horribly horrific site. The Lt. was lying on the ground, passed out, his right leg crushed under the rubble well his left knee cap was off to the right side of his knee.² Duncan cursed to himself as he looked around, staying in the tunnel could be a death sentence, but he wasn't gonna leave the boy behind. "Form a defensive perimeter around the area, use the Debris piles for cover, Someone try to get on comms and get a medical team here ASAP."

Duncan prayed that there was still anyone else out there.

---

PFC Joseph Sherman

1/7, 12th Recon Battalion, Sniper Team
Falling back to Alpha

-Before the Quake-
Sherman had been staring down his scope for some time, well his ears suffered from Savannah's Quiet b****ing, "God dammit, a f***en ODST above us, thinking their better than us and everything, a load of s*** if you ask me." Sherman sighed, since he was the only output she had for the anger she had towards that particular MOS. Munching on the food that the ODST had given them. His mind was just about to slip away when he felt a smack to the back of the head.

"Are you even listening to me? Now I understand why you never had a girlfriend, your always off in la la land. Whatc-" she was caught off by the sound of a distant rumble, seconds later, the scaffolding that they were using started to shake violently.

-Present-


"Sherman dammit, stop moving so slow, we got to get to the Alpha dome." Sherman and Savannah were lucky to walk out of the quake with minor injuries. Sherman had a sprained ankle from when a small piece of debris fell on his foot, well Savannah only had some cuts and some tears at her sleeves from pieces of glass that had shattered and gone flying from the window of the building the scaffolding was up against. "Well I would move faster Savannah, but I kind have a messed up ankle." He was being supported by one of the marines that had fallen back from Kristopher Airfield.

"Jesus mate, you and her together or something, she acts like she's your ol' lady." The marine assisting him asked.

"Sadly, no, she's my spotter." he stated, embarrassment and disappointment lacing his voice.


(No post for Draken nothing going on in the water purification plant from what i've read)

---

Footnotes
1: Similar to the holes in the roof of the subway system in Outskirts from halo 2
2: The medical term that wrestlers know this by is a "Floater" It's where the bone in the knee cap that is not physically attached to the rest of the knee slides to the side (Somewhat Common Wrestling injury)

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Well... that wasn't very fun.

Garatus watched the Ragnus Captain with contempt, growling and hefting his hammer threateningly as the Ragnus Warrior tried to edge his way away from the hole he was dangerously close to. He listened as the Ragnus Warrior talked about before the First Immolation, and where his Tribe had went in their space crafts. As the tale slowly withered into ridiculousness, Garatus sneered with disgust. Not only did they quake under their fur because of an earthquake and firestorm, they worshiped the flame Rukt damned flames! Fire was friend to none, consumer of all and took no pity, showed no mercy. It lacked compassion....

Suddenly there was a blur of pink. Garatus's eyes darted to see a Kig-yar had fired them, no... it... it was Cad who had fired them! His friend's ignorance did not surprise him, surely if he had known the dishonor it would cause Garatus he would not have acted so rashly. For someone to fight his battles for him... it would be smudge on his otherwise pristine name. Garatus's eyes were torn from seeing his Uncle swing his staff to the Ragnus Captain as he loudly dropped his Bruteshot and staggered back.

Garatus watched as the Ragnus Captain's foot slipped and the traitorous Jiralhanae toppled backwards into the pit, the screams followed by pink mist and a slight shake of the ground. Garatus slowly walked to the edge of the jagged pit, the claws of one foot hanging over the edge as the other was planted squarely back on solid ground. "I see a dead fool in a pit" Garatus said coldly to the deceased Ragnus Captain, before spitting into the pit with disgust.

As he turned to walk back to where Cad was, along with his Uncle and his warriors, Garatus caught sight of several Unggoy observing from a distance. He rolled his arm inwards, gesturing for them to fall in. He didn't wait to see if they followed, heading straight for his Uncle and Cad. Garatus gave a respectful nod to his Uncle, before stooping to check Cad. He rolled the Kig-yar with one hand, seeing he was still alive but his arm was in poor condition "You needn't have swung so hard" Garatus said with an annoyed growl, but said no more on the subject as he barked to a Minor for him to gather splinting materials. Garatus turned when he heard the pattering of what he presumed were the Unggoy from a moment prior.

T'vaoan Major Roh Ge... Hul? Hul Gel? Whatever....

Roh looked receptively at the Human signs, meaningless as they were to him. For all his skills and knowledge, he knew nothing of the Human language other than curse words. Some might find this odd, considering many Kig-yar had dealings with the Pinkies, but Roh had never felt the need or urge to learn more than he already did. Roh followed close behind Eal as they rounded the corner, cocking his head when Eal tapped something, Roh realizing it was Eal's radio as it made static. Roh came in close when Eal presented a small screen to him and Talz, squinting at the brightness in the otherwise dark area.

Roh grinned at the news, and lowered the intake of air on his mask just after Eal did. He hated the Aecor damned mask, it bit into his face and left funny looking patterns pressed into his skin. Roh looked over eagerly when Eal addressed him, chuckling softly at Eal's humor. Roh thought for a moment, then nodded his head to the questions. "Well..." Roh started off "I'll start off honest. I'm as much a Hul as I am a Gel, my pa is Uea Hul"

"I went back and forth between the two Clans, got the best of both as it were. Grandma Zaat taught me how to be Gel, a real Gel. All the stories you've heard? All true, some even toned down compared to the truth. That alone is hard to live up to for any Gel, but when you're ma was Kael Gel? That's a bit worse I'll admit, and Zaat is a living legend! The training is harsh, but the lands are pretty... well pretty, I've always loved visiting them" Roh said.

"Then I had the expectations of Hul to meet too" Roh said with a chuckle, "Killing Spice Sisters is what I did for them, that's where I got this" Roh said as he pulled his mask off long enough to show the massive scar on the right side of his face. He took a small breath as he returned his mask to his face. "Was my first real battle when I got it, as for the tattoos and the rings, just my style" he said with a smirk as he flexed his fingers.

"Ready when you are" Roh said as his eyes had adjusted to the darkness.

[Cabel]

[Tranquilitas Beta: Planet Protector: Water Purification Plant: Alpha Company Command Post: Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 7th MEB: Captain Mark “Spade” Sorelson: Date: 1 January 2548]

One can only hope those flying cicadas find their friend dozing and vacate without causing any other problems. Though with my luck, they‘ll become curious, he thought hearing the buzzing of wings echoing inside the confines of the plant and knew the Drones had decided to investigate further. He’d have to figure out how to evade the flying Drones, the airborne scouts of the Covenant without alerting them to the presence of the UNSC defenders either the marines or the Army garrison, but the notion the Drones had managed to get inside the main foyer of the Plant had created a few other problems. The airborne scouts had the capability, even the obligation of alerting the rest of the raiding party made up of nervous or rather anxious Elites and Jackals. Although, reports had indicated there might have been some tensions in the ranks of the Covenant between the individual member species. He’d remembered what Agent Hyde had explained to him during his time in the Recovery Ward at the Manassas Military Hospital about how the Jackals had seemed to have been drafted against their will or rather coerced by force with even a faction having split from them to form some pirate-group similar to an Insurrection group. Mark hadn’t had any of knowing whether the Drones had such a disagreement with the rest of the Covenant, or if they were best buds loyal to a fault. What Spade had known though had been that the Plant remained in their hands, in the hands of the UNSC for the time being and he’d make certain it remained so.

“Is anyone out there? Someone answer? We’re trapped in the colony‘s radio station….” filtered over an open channel intercepted by his com-set.

A moment’s check confirmed his suspicions that the transmission had lacked a military identification code and that the transmission had been over an open channel ruled out any military unit on the planet being that careless, and it meant that an indiscernible number of civilians had been somehow cut-off from the main evacuation efforts. Fortunately, Mark had turned the volume down considerably to near non-existent along with the entire company of defenders before the Covenant dropship had arrived. The aging marine hoped the Covenant raiding party hadn’t detected that, or the flying Drones. Without moving from his concealed position, he'd checked the encryption on the frequency used by the 7th MEB and following that the encryption key hadn't been broken he’d had a reason to at least be a bit relieved. Whomever had been too eager to have made that transmission hadn't been privy to the codes used by the 7th MEB or the local Army Garrison, a notion he'd been eternally grateful for although if they survived he'd pay the man that made that transmission a little visit. If Mark hadn't taken the time to instruct his men at the Plant, to turn down the volumes on their com-sets, the open-transmission could have been the end of them. Though, at the same time, whether or not the Covenant had been able to intercept it had been an unknown factor.

[Faclan]

(NPC)Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo.
Underground and scouting.
Beginning the spelunking.

Having been slowly stepping down some of the steps as Roh started and removing his helmet Roh wowed a bit with raised eyebrows as he was able to finally get the sealed helmet off his face. "Son of a Commodore and a future one? Thats pretty impressive Roh," he said about Rohs first statement as he fastened the helmet to his belt and took a deep breath once they reached the bottom of the stairs. Nodding a bit he shrugged. "Breathable, but if we run may need to top up on air every so often - better than masked or helmeted the entire time." Shaking out his mane and running his claws through it awhile Eal nodded as he looked around the badly damaged subway station.

Nearly everything was broken, the tracks twisted and most of the benches and little stalls broken as well. But there was surprisingly little dust here and the tunnels looked mostly untouched. Likely due to the air circulation down here and because of tough building requirements for underground things like this. But he leaned against a support Colum as he turned to listen to Roh.

It was an interesting tale...one Eal hadn't considered. He had thought that The Mistress had taught Roh a little at least. But from the tale it seemed as if Kael hadn't been there much if at all if the Gel Commodore had been the one that had been teaching him. But he didn't interrupt Roh during his tale even if he had questions as that would be rude and against the storytelling tradition of the Kig-Yar. But when he finished he smiled and patted the younger T'vaoan on the shoulder before hopping down onto the tracks.

"That's quite a life you've led so far Roh," Talz hopping down as well after storing her mask. "Your style is good, fits you and you could even slightly modify the tale to say it shows that you are part of two nests or something similar. But now we got some scouting and searching to do. Hopefully we can find something worth wile to impress Kael." He quickly went quiet after that, clamping his beak shut so he wouldn't say anything else that may be fight worthy. Eal had command over Roh currently yes, but Roh was also Kig-Yar Royalty for two separate Nests, so he needed to be a bit more careful.

(Yey abandoned subway tunnels.)


SSA-012 - Yanme'e Swarm.
The Northern water plant.
Something familiar?

It was during the Ultras hop walk over to some of the oddly specifically placed bags on the other side of the room that the radio messages started to come in thick and fast. First there was that damned Sangheili telling them it was time to leave, before they had even discovered anything. The Ultra narrowing her bright eyes as she clicked and hissed in annoyance, stopping her advance as she replied.

"No, no leave. Master want info. Will get intel." Adding an annoyed hiss at the end of the transmission the Ultra started off again, before she turned around just as she set her clawed hand on the top of the sandbags as the soldier that was checking on their fallen comrade flew up to her floor and entered to relay what had happened to their fellow. The Yanme'e that were flying outside the windows on this level joining the others on the roof as they tried to look over the grounds. So just the Ultra and he Soldier were in the room now.

"Soldier hit, little poke, think sleep poke."

"Dart?"

"Yes dart, look Human. Wonder why no kill?"

"No question, glad Swarm alive." The soldier nodded as the Ultra turned back to move over the sandbagm before turning around again at an audible shuffle and what sounded like a sniff before the Soldier swiveleed her antenas around. The Ultra looking back still with her white hand onver the sandbags as the Soldier spoke up.

"Ultra! Familiar smell here."

"What smell?"

"Human smell...from last planet, one hunt but put us in transport with no death...." The Ultra waited for an explanation as they both stood there, bug hand still visible to the Humans behind the sandbags as their conversation of clicks and hisses we're likely audible through the Humans radios as the Phantom likely left without them.


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor.
On the broken surface.
Standing firm.

Nodding in approval as the challenger was killed, twice over with the needles and the fall into the spiky pit, Eugine watched his Nephew approach. He could see the strain on his face from the lifting he had to do and then the battle right after it. He would suggest some rest when there was a lul in the action. But when he was told that he had hit the foolish boy too much he shook his head and growled a little. "He disrupted a honor duel and marked your name. I didn't hit him hard enough for punishment of debasing our culture like that. His fragile frame just couldn't take it." He prodded the unconscious Kig-Yar some before adding; "I may not be a fan of some parts of our culture, but I won't have a small alien disgrace it at a time like this."

Turning to nod at the assembled pack he saw they were mostly equal bits confused looking and filled with bloodlust as to what the victory would mean. But Eugine knew that wouldn't be beyond calming should his Nephew wish to add another title to his already impressive list. Likely something like The Merciful or The Forgiver.

"The Pack awaits your Command Chieftain, though you should rest soon to not over strain your muscles." He said, whispering the last part so only he and Garatus would hear it. Of course Garatus could also add other titles today; The Destroyer, The Butcher, or otherwise. Eugine would record them either way.

[Cabel]

[Tranquilitas Beta: Planet Protector: Water Purification Plant: Alpha Company Command Post: Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 7th MEB: Captain Mark “Spade” Sorelson: Date: 1 January 2548]

Mark one for the felines, he thought seeing that the flying Drones hadn‘t departed as initially thought. It hadn‘t surprised him the one Drone with familiar markings, marking he‘d recognized from the pair they‘d encountered on that bridge on Refuge had spotted the tranq dart they‘d used to knock out the one-winged drone. The audible clicks emanating from the larger Drone, that he‘d assume had been the leader of the group followed by a terse series of clicks hadn‘t been that difficult to overhear even through their helmets and the re-breathers. It hadn‘t taken a rocket scientist to figure out that the larger Drone hadn‘t exactly been pleased with whomever had been on the receiving end of the Covenant‘s own com-system, and Mark had to bet that it was the Elites or someone higher up that had set off the Drones. His hunches had an odd way of coming true, but whether or not the Drones would see the doping of their friend through the use of a tranquilizer dart as a good sign or whether that only incensed them further to annihilating the company-sized defenders had yet to be seen.

If we can somehow figure out why those flying cicadas are angry at whomever is on the other end of that com-line, maybe we‘ll have a chance and an improvised air squadron, he thought. Or, we‘ll expend ammunition and lives taking those Drones out. He‘d fervently hoped for the former, considering that the UNSC even while defending one of their own colonies had probably sustained heavy casualties from the Earthquake resulting from the carelessness of the Covenant teams. Though, if they were disorganized from it the Covenant had to be as disorganized if not more so. Following the Drone with the familiar markings on its shell with a scope detached from his command binoculars tied into his HUD that he'd placed on the sandbag barrier, he wondered if the Drone remembered him or his scent for the better. For all he knew, the Drone might want to cut him into pieces for leaving them in a dry, elevated bus. Slowly, he undid the safety strap on the field-issued Kabar from where it lay strapped to the ceramic and ballistics chest plate just in case the latter came true. If the former came true, he‘d had to think about what kind of greeting to give as his own vocal cords couldn‘t imitate the clicks and whirrs of the insect language. Oddly enough, the only greeting that came to mind had been from an old film-disc he’d seen as a kid and even then he hadn’t been able to have recited the phrase with a straight face. He‘d keep that in mind, hopefully with a little treat to soften the deal if and apparently when the Drones found him.

“Tornado Actual to all Callsigns, hold your fire but be ready at a moment‘s notice. Keep an eye on those Drones, and if something comes through the Main Pressure door open fire. If you must move, do so slowly…very slowly. I don‘t want to tip these things off just yet,” Mark said, quietly near whisper into the com-set in his helmet to the rest of the defenders in the Plant. "We don't know what they'll do, but if it turns out their Elite pals don't knock on the front door we‘ll have some unlikely help. Tornado Actual; out,” he said, keeping the line open though the volume lowered.

[BasedGoody]

Unggoy Ultra Yaddap

Yaddap was in shock to be drawn out of the cover of his dune. The Chieftain had called out to him. Dribbling over with excitement, the weak alien leaped out. Before rushing over, he grabbed his allies. Tabban yelped out as the Ultra grabbed his wrist while Judded silently plodded along behind them in awe. The three underlings watched closely as the ape-like leader hulked over to the body of the almost-martyr Kig-Yar and his would-be assailant.

The Unggoy leader coughed to himself, clearing his throat as the Chieftain turned around.

"Uh, sir, your holy-highness," He began with the intent of a good impression, "I have something for you." Yaddap finished. He bowed his head and held the Fuel Rod gun outstretched in his arms. It was the same weapon given to him by the Jiralhanae earlier in their mission. A nervous cough escaped his mouth as he bobbed his head up in down in approval of himself.

"We journeyed to you for further orders!" Yaddap said in his cracked voice, the grin hidden behind his methane-mask. To the meek soldier, a quest had just been accomplished.

---

Unggoy Special Operator Wub Wub

"No Gup. Listen to me. Listen to my words. You are dumb." Wub Wub sputtered as his cloaking device deactivated, "Look at me- GUP. Look at my face." Wub continued as Gup turned his head in shame. The two had been arguing for a while.

"Both of you, please, please for the love of the Prophets. Close your damned mouths." Yecath moaned as he appeared almost out of thin air. Yecath was the Spec Ops Sangheili in charge of the group.

"Yec, you don't understand," Gup whined, "We're discussing our soaps." The Unggoy continued. Wub and Gup had indeed been arguing over human soap operas, a favorite to be pirated by the inhabitants of Balaho.

"You have no right to speak, Gup," Dip-Wup stressed the name as he popped up next to him. The victim of the hate flinched at the instant cameo of the other soldier.

"Everyone shut up and activate cloaking. I see something..." Yecath growled. The Spec Ops had recently arrived at the Plant to check up on things, yet their check up might soon become more interesting. Yaddap disappeared into the background as his eyes snapped towards their destination. Yan'mae. Yaddap strained his neck to gain a better view. Suddenly he saw it, human life. One appeared to be adorning a knife.

"What... What do?" Wub quietly asked.

"Wait and watch. Prepare. We can let a few bugs die if need be."

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

Sergeant Maximilian "Drake" Fields

1/7, A Co, 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad

Water Purification Plant 

Protector, Tranquilitas Beta System

The situation in the plant was ready to go to hell at any moment, a bugger had crashed through the window, been shot with a knock out dart, and now there were buggers on the other side of Drake's Sandbags. It didn't help that some civvies decided to send a radio message over open comm lines, which meant that any dam person with a radio could of heard it. The tension in the room caused beads of sweat to run down his face as he angled himself to not be seen, carefully signalling his men to hug the bags and stay hidden.

"Tornado Actual to all Callsigns, hold your fire but be ready at a moment‘s notice. Keep an eye on those Drones, and if something comes through the Main Pressure door open fire. If you must move, do so slowly…very slowly. I don‘t want to tip these things off just yet, we don't know what they'll do, but if it turns out their Elite pals don't knock on the front door we‘ll have some unlikely help. Tornado Actual; out." Slithered it's way into everyone's ears as the one bugger turned away for a second. Drake used the moment to report in to the Captain.

"Tornado 1-2 to Tornado Actual, they're right on top of us, I don't know how long we can stay hidden sir." He whispered, His side hugging the bags as tightly as it could. The inaudible clicks cause Drake to tense up, as he sensed that the bugger was slowly looking over the sandbag. Drake's hand instantly went to his trigger, he was prepared to load the bugger with lead before it could fire on him.

[RiddL]

First Lieutenant Alexei -Titan- Krevchenkov
153rd ODST
Protector



Ready to assist



Titan had realised that the colonel was preoccupied with the safety of his daughter and began to rummage through his helmet and pulled out the radio and placed it close to his throat so that he could speak clearly and give out orders and such. He started to rummage through civilian vehicles and pulled out an earpiece that had previously belonged to one of the politician types on this rock.

He played around with it until he was on UNSC frequencies in time to hear, "Tornado Actual to all Callsigns, hold your fire but be ready at a moment‘s notice. Keep an eye on those Drones, and if something comes through the Main Pressure door open fire. If you must move, do so slowly…very slowly. I don‘t want to tip these things off just yet, we don't know what they'll do, but if it turns out their Elite pals don't knock on the front door we‘ll have some unlikely help. Tornado Actual; out."


Titan put two fingers to his earpiece and spoke in his thick accent, "Angel 4 Actual to Tornado Actual, do you want any assistance? My men and I are feeling useless and I'm sure that our help would be appreciated if a firefight starts, over." He said as he quickly opened up a private channel to Sergei.

"Sergei, it's Alexei. I need you to get the others and get to my position, leave Blacklock where he is."

Sergei's voice came into his ears with hints of excitement in his otherwise neutral voice, "I knew you were alive! I'll gather the men and we will be with you shortly, as for Blacklock, I don't think I could find him if I wanted to, he disappeared in the way snipers, let alone with ODST training, do. Tombstone out."

Titan let out a breath of relief and checked his weaponry for any flaws or jams.

[Cute Huragok]

First Lieutenant Ryan Willis, Seventh Marines
Dragging Jake along for the ride

Groaning as he crawled out of his broken seat, Ryan noticed the broken windows and the passed out Jake behind him who appeared to have broken legs. Alton appeared fine with just cuts and bruises, as did Ryan himself. Pushing himself up, he grabbed one of the emergency assault rifles for accidents like this. All he remembered was the ground shaking and the Pelican getting shot down by a Vampire, who knows how long they have been knocked out. Checking his combat armor, and helmet HUD, Ryan gestured to Alton to do the same after trying to speak but failing due to a really dry mouth. Putting on his respirator for Planets with low oxygen like these, he walked over and strapped one onto Jake as well. Alton reloaded one of the Assault Rifles and picked up a M60, then thumbs upped Ryan. Nodding, Ryan also checked his weapons' ammo counters. Grunting, he slung Jake across his back, but noticed that he had a slight limp when he walked. Nevertheless, Ryan had a will to live, and make sure everyone in his crew was alive. Even if it meant his own demise.

Yanme'e Swarm Righteous Descenders
Finally into Battle!

The Swarm buzzed with excitement with the crowded Phantom, as it was approaching the dry planet's surface. Another major campaign was approaching, and they all could feel it in their mandibles. When the Phantom bay doors opened, the Swarm rushed out, moving as one towards their objective. The Water Planet, while flying towards it, the Swarm chirped with delight at the thought of combat and killing humans. Seeing another Swarm, the Righteous Descenders got even more excited, but calmed down once they got fired at and became more focused. The other swarm's ultra appeared to go through a broken window to scout things out, which appeared viable. The Righteous Descender's objective was to provide support and the secondary objective was to ultimately takeover the facilities. Following the Swarm as backup were three Banshees, and two Phantoms ready to deploy more reinforcements onto the facilities once they were not so heavily defended. The Ultra was ready, and so was the rest of the Swarm. All they waited for was the other Swarm's decisions for calculation.

Huragok Perfect Density
Quite an interesting display of human technology!

Perfect Density trilled in delight as he hovered towards what appears to be a power source of one of the human defense domes. He started working out the different components and types of minerals used, and he was quite fascinated. He noticed what appeared to be a plasma proof structure when it was working, causing quite an adept defensive structure for the human facilities. What they did not account for however, was the heavy plasma weapons that the Covenant uses to Glass such planets. Must either be a mistake or a calculation they were willing to risk, although nature itself was what caused the Dome's collapse. Radioing command, trilling and chirping in different languages, he explained the properties of the dome and it's weak points should the humans try to come up with such a defense ever again.