Mission 7: Protector

[Faclan]

Tags: Llau, LaxKnight, BetaWülf, Huka, @tracker, Doc the Mother of Dragons


(NPC) Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo.
Between some evil Humans and some military ones, damn.
The situation just keeps on sinking.

Eal just hummed and nodded at Rohs response to his slight praise of Human Mike. Roh had a point, Kael probably would clip a few feathers if she found out that he said that...but right now, at this second, Eal couldn't see why. Human Mike was just doing what he would do the same situation and what any soldier he would think would do when being forced to do something by his 'enemy' - mis lead them for as long as possible so your allies can help. Right now he didn't even see himself as Human Mike's enemy as all he had done so far was give him some food and water, fought along side him, and we're now in the same situation as he was. He was a neutral party if anything. Though he was curious as to if Mike thought he had allies coming, or if he was alone and knew that he was going to die so he was just having the last laugh. Either smart thinking or a drive that had to be respected to have the last victory. So far, besides the angering Roh to the point of murderous rage, Mike seemed more like a Kig-Yar that he probably wanted to admit.

But Eal focused back on the now as he nearly tripped over a stone in the tunnel and nearly had Talz fall over him as they headed toward a large door visible in the distant darkness. At least to the Kig-Yar as Roh spoke up again. This time he was in complete agreement with his Major crewmate. "I agree, they will likely just kill us after they kill Human Mike...and we are in too deep to get out now." He was then silent as he nodded a bit, a smile spreading across his beak - so Human Mike did have allies on the way and he wasn't insane. Well more than normal as he had been buying so much time for them. "Allies you say? The Black Humans...good. Eight of them will likely be a match for these lightly armored and armed Humans and these inside Humans will be distracted, allowing us to strike when they arrive. We'll get out of this yet." He said in response, partly to calm his own nerves but also something he believed, as they had been more kind to Human Mike than these other Humans, sans the Roh part, and he assumed if they helped they would be allowed to leave.

The door finally started to open as Eal helped Talz sit down against the wall near-by so she could rest her aching still working foot as the door slid open to reveal a solid wall. So Human Mike was both smart planning and a bit eager for the last laugh? Seemed so with his big teeth smile at the Inside Human leader before said leader started to beat on his face. This Human Mike was certainly an interesting one. But while the kicking continued, Eal trying not to pay it much attention he turned to Roh and shrugged a bit at his annoyance.

"Of course it is Roh; would you lead your 'enemy', these other Humans, to your secret underground Nest that would lead to the deaths of many of your own allies? I wouldn't. I'm actually amazed that the Inside Humans didn't guess that this would happen." Grunting as he was shoved toward the wall Eal threw off their hands and hissed dangerously as he moved over by himself to sit down. He may have been willing to work with them but he was not going to be manhandled by them...Sitting down beside Talz he asked her about how she was doing as she just cheeped out a fine as she patted her pistol before Eal looked to the side at Roh, and Human Mike behind Roh as he took a breath and then nodded. "If its the Black Humans they probably will if they make it through the Inside Humans, but the Inside leader seems like a Sisterhood backed into a corner. He will try something desperate..." Nodding at his own plan in his head Eal slipped his helmet on his head but left it off for now, knowing that the power left it in would be only enough for another ten seconds of heat vision if he needed it, and he wanted to be sure he was prepared as he palmed his dagger and held it against his wrist with his hand blocking the handle as he and Talz slid down the wall to be laying down on the ground as the sound of gunfire started to get louder and louder.

But he spared a glance to both Talz and Roh as Skyler was murdered, as he deserved to be. Shame really, he wanted to be the one to do that. If they all survived he would have to thank Mike for doing it anyway as he just nodded at Roh. "Then both of them are desperate cheating scum, and we need to be prepared when the Black Humans arrive...Talz, send another message to the Mistress in case we don't have another chance."

Talz just nodded as she quickly tapped out a message before laying flat with her hands clearly visible as boot falls approached with the gunfire. "Black Humans approach, inside humans other side, danger"


Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion.
Topside.
Caught between two worlds.

Turning from the flopped insects and the Jiralhanae group sharing their smacks back and fourth Kael spent her time watching the bombardment of the domes as she clicked her radio to listen to the damage report from her Entourage. A file and half had been lost, but nearly everyone else had an injury of some kind or was down on equipment. It would make assaulting difficult but not impossible. She knew her forces were accurate enough to make the weapons they still had work. Kael slipping a carbine over her back to replace her broken Focus Rifle, having retrieved her memento from its stock before tossing it. As she was attaching some canisters of ammo to her chest armor Til spoke up with what the mission would be for her Entourage and herself, finally something proper to do. Kael still distracted as she didn't turn around immediately as she nodded, getting the hidden meaning Til had in it. Finally turning around Kael gave a salute as she nodded, last ammo canister held in her left hand as she replied.

"Understood Field Marshal, none will be escaping with their lives or anything else. I'll get my force ready." Clicking her shoulder radio she started to cheep and pheep out orders to her forces to resupply as best they could and re-disperse into small crews to board up Phantoms to get ready to move and act as a barrier to the Humans after they had been forced to flee before the Jiralhanae. With that done she clicked off her radio and started to attach her last ammo container just as the most recent message from Rohs team arrived.

"Black Humans approach, inside humans other side, danger"

If Kaels heart could have sunken anymore it would have right then as she dropped the ammo canister she had in her left hand as the message finished playing. Closing her eyes Kael breathed slowly as she crouched down to pick up the canister and finished attaching it to herself as she took a step toward Til and bowed her head a little as she quietly...pleaded with him?

"Field Marshal...Til....Please let me go and get Roh out of there. You heard it to, they are trapped between the imps and the Human rebels with ONI too boot. I don't trust any of those to leave by a conventional way and then they will be gone...please." Kael completely missing the Jiralhanae's brutal display of severed heads as she focused on Til.

(Poor Kael...but she has a job to do D: )


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor
Topside.
Cleansing some evil and watching the show.

Sauntering back over to his Nephew and cousin, as best as his old body could, Eugine caught nearly all of their conversation as he stood behind Karonus. The rightly feared staff currently being lent on by the Elder as he waited to be noticed by the youngin. But just like at the tavern during their last outing he was ignored by Karonus, and that only warranted one reaction.

wack a decent rap on the helmet of Karonus. "The Kig-Yar was a fool and paid the price for his ignorance. He still lives only on the wishes of The Chieftain - and good to see you as well Youngin." Looking over as Cicerius arrived with the severed heads of some of the heretic scum he nodded in approval while thumping the butt of his staff on the ground. "Good work Cicerius, your loyalty fills my old bones with hope for the future of us all. I'll see to it that when this operation is complete you receive the finest ale."

Moving to Karonus again he moved a limb up again, probably getting a flinch before he wrapped his good arm around the youth's shoulders as he gave him a side hug. "Also proud of your work Karonus, your skills have been improving immensely and you are turning into a proper warrior. Just need to get your mannerisms and awareness up and you'll be a model Jiralhanae." He said, giving both Garatus and Karonus a big smile before the Field Marshal started to issue some more orders.

Nodding as they were informed it was time to finally assault he weakened domes the elder pulled out and checked his Impaler before slipping it back in the holster. But as the heads of the heretics were set up Eugine nodding in grim satisfaction as he moved over and hefted his staff. What followed could best be described as Eugine flicking his staff toward the leaders head, and then slowly pulling back while moving his staff in circles as he rumbled quietly in Doisac - the ones that could understand hearing; "The essence of treachery leeches off these remains like a horrid stench, but the righteousness of our cause will overpower it and the blessing of the Goddess will ensure their spirits will pay the price for their treachery." With the evil taken away, presumably, Eugine pulled out the small puff ball totem from his satchel and hung it off the make shift standard as Euigne stepped away and nodded in satisfaction.

But he was distracted by the Champion once again starting to make a scene as the Pack began to assemble for the assault. Eugine leaning on his staff again as he watched, the elder too far away and old to hear the message.

(Praaaise Sheep)


SSA-012 (Remnants) - Yanme'e Swarm
In the Field Marshals arms
Awaiting judgment silently.(Defective? Dick P:)

As the Swarm was Ultra-less they just continued to lay on the ground, scared of The Masters ire about their failure. But they hissed in anger at the callous words of the bastard that had led them into the Humans clutches. But the hisses were silenced as the foremost one was patted on the head. Quieted down the swarm got up from their prone position and sat beside Til as they sat in their sorrow and such.

The four remaining considered trying to tell the Master about the poor treatment they were given...but decided against it. They had failed after all and so were not at the mercy of The Master for their failure. He seemed to be busy directing the other commanders to begin moving out however so they just crouched near-by, their dead left on the ground as they looked at the ground around Til's feet.


Chris Hyde - ONI Scientist
Underground searching.
We're coming man!

Hyde was glad, so glad, that the ODST's got the urgency of the situation and stopped arguing and just got a move. Hyde doing his best to help as he kept listening to the bursts of noise he would get from Mikes pad. The situation was clearly devolving fast and this secret door would only hold them until it was open. Mike was sure playing it fast and loose with his life but then again he had no choice in the matter as he had to play for all the time he could so the ODST team could make it to him.

He slowed down however when one of Micks ODST's called out contact, just as Mike's next text message reached them. Well it was a tiny bit too late as the first shot was made, and first blood was theres it seemed. But remember the training Mike had given him Chris quickly ducked behind cover and adjusted the VISR mode so he could more easily see the enemies as they started to reveal themselves. Thankfully unlike Mays he had a SMG and not just a pistol as he raised it up and focused on suppressing the enemy of firing in their general direction as his accuracy wouldn't have been as good as the trained soldiers. But he knew that the ODST Recon armor he was wearing would offer good protecting from their arms so he was willing to try and take some shots at the enemies.

"Mike thinks there are around twenty possible contacts, and that he is near-by with the Kig-Yar, watch corners and fire." He informed and asked the ODST's over the helmet comms as he mostly hanged back and took shots when he could, ducking back down to reload as even with the VISR he couldn't tell if he hit anything at all...But they were coming to get Mike out, that's all that was important now. But beside that message he stayed quiet, knowing that the ODST's were in command now. He had some training in these situations from ONI and Mike but this was their specialty. Just had to hope that they weren't too late.

No need to send a message now that Mike could clearly tell they were coming, no sight of him or the Kig-Yar yet...just more Innies and tunnels and darkness.

(We can get to seeing the Innie group with Mike in it next post LaxKnight @tracker, and Doc the Mother of Dragons so Sheep can do her secret plans. Sorry not much from Chris but ONI scientist man is not super awesome at combat, take it away ODST people )

(phew...finally done.)

[Doc the Mother of Dragons]

HN Samantha Jackson

Protector

Tunnels

Shooting fellow humans had been something she had argued with herself about many times in the past and still did to this day. While she veiwed evey life as important, if you threaten someone with violence you better be prepared to get the same in return. So if a fellow human shoots at her, she has the right to defend herself and those around her. Still, it did not feel right, but when you have people trying to kill you, the worry about being ethical goes right out the door.

That very thing happened as the Innies started shooting at them, Jackson glanced over to Willowbay who gave her the signal to move up. The Sergeant herself moved up closer to the rest of the ODST's as Sam moved up, shooting as she did so, it was hard to see in the dark without a visor like the ODST's but since she didn't see any IFF tags coming from the people shooting at them, she figured it was a good move to shoot back.

Tag: @tracker LaxKnight Llau

[SPARTAN-A120]

Corporal Fredrick Mitchell
1/8, B Co, 1st PLT, 5th Squad
Beta Domes
Protector, Tranquilius Beta System
A Moment to Myself, Please

Mitchell had stopped pacing when his comms crackled to life from the incoming transmission. “Roger that. Over,” replied Angel-One-One.

“Looks like we’re gonna have some Helljumpers aboard,” Mitchell said to himself.

The sudden sound of Warthogs filled Mitchell’s ears. He turned around and saw LCpl. Carter in a M12 with a M41 LAAG in the back. PFC. Gordon drove a M831 Hog APC with Pvt. Luis in shotgun and a few dusty crates in tow.

“Well well… looks like we’re getting somewhere,” Mitchell said to his fireteam. He checked his clock on his HUD. They were five minutes over their time limit, but he didn’t want to address it since his team came back without empty hands. “What in those crates?” Mitchell said while nodding towards the cargo of the M831.

“C12 Demolition Charges and other explosive ordinances that were supposed to be used to demo the tunnels for plan B,” PFC. Gordon replied. “But since their in our possession now, I suggest we use them for some other purposes now.”

That was some good news. On the contrary, Mitchell didn’t know what use of the explosives were if there were Covenant air support running all over the place. “Right. What’s the condition of both vehicles?” Mitchell asked.

“M12 is running smooth,” Carter replied. “M831 is also good,” Luis replied.

“That’s good to hear,” Mitchell said. It was good that both vehicles were at operational capacity. That meant things were taking a turn and good luck had rubbed off from somewhere. Those Hogs were not built for military purposes without a reason. If they couldn’t be durable on the battlefield, then the UNSC would have to find a different type of vehicle to invest in. The thought of that gave Mitchell a smile. “All right. We gotta mobilize. Those Beta Dome shields could fall at any minute now so time is not on our side. Carter, I want you to do a maintenance check on both vehicles. Gordon, make sure that LAAG is operational. Luis, check the ordinance. I don’t want any premature detonations,” Mitchell ordered his team.

“Copy,” each of them responded.

Mitchell had wished there were more than a platoon of Marines within the vicinity. He thought of the possible outcomes if the Covenant had commenced an attack right when they were about to leave. He shook the thought from his head. “Screw all of that. If the Covenant wanted to fight, I’ll take as much as I can to the grave with me. I’ll give them a fucking reason why not to fuck with humanity,” he muttered under his breath.

“Fuck!” someone shouted. Mitchell looked behind him to see the Colonel. Mitchell didn’t understand the burden that had been placed upon the man, but he sure as hell knew why the man was stressed. Mitchell continued to observe Killinger. He was issuing commands and looking over the holographic display.

The thought of Officer Candidate School crossed Mitchell’s mind. He knew that he didn’t have a college degree and didn’t participate in a high school ROTC program so he had slim chances of becoming an officer. Of course, he had a few college credits in his name, but they were from basic training under Military Science, History, and other necessities of military courses. He shook his head in disappointment. “The highest promotion I’ll ever receive is a senior NCO or six-feet under the ground,” Mitchell muttered again. “Hell, making platoon sergeant at my thirties don’t sound bad at all.”

Mitchell returned from his thoughts and oriented his observation back to his team. They were all moving with a purpose. Even the the Private was making himself useful. It constantly bugged Mitchell that under his subconscious thoughts, he cared for his men as if they were his responsibility. It was true that the man was capable of ignoring the death of fallen Marines on the battlefield as there was a constant lack of opportunity to check on them. There is without a doubt that he wouldn’t leave a fellow Marine behind. It was part of his morality that urged him to save a few people during operations. Sure he took a few rounds for his LT a few years back, but Mitchell didn’t want to be a hero. He wanted to avenge the death of his parents. It was his drive, his motivation, his ambition, to do what he do.

Indeed, the nature of war was a bad experience for Mitchell. He had experiences with death way too many times and had gazed into it directly one too many times. The true questions that lingered in his mind was: what kept him alive? Certainly, it was not just his skills, but was it instinct? He had no clue. Mitchell was a Marine. A damn good one. A grunt who fought the enemy for the sake of preserving the human race. Someone interrupted Mitchell’s thoughts.

“Mitchell, all systems check out fine, the LAAG is operational, and the explosives are safe,” Carter reported. “What’s our next move?”

“That’s good news to my ears. I’ll report it to the Colonel,” replied Mitchell.

He took a short walk towards the tall officer and got into attention; maintaining a professional posture as if it was boot camp graduation all over again. The Corporal said in a professional tone, “Sir, we found two Hogs: one M12 with a M41. The other a M831 APC. We also found explosive ordinances along the way. Lastly, we have a squad of Helljumpers regrouping from Kristopher Airfield. Are there any further orders, sir?”

(Tag(s): MrKill)

[BasedGoody]

Fanatical Unggoy Wibbup

Wib's feet pounded on the airfield, slowly growing numb as his speed rose. He was now completely blind from rage, with only a pure bloody red emanating in his vision. Although it was a flat color, it pulsating in his eye sockets. His skull bounced and jumped with anger. It yelled and screamed for revenge. All he heard now was the drum beat his soles on the concrete and the monotonous ringing painfully expanding. The bullets were drowned out by the constant high-pitched noise. It screeched and wailed in unison with his skull. Each bones creaked and rumbled with yearning for a blood sacrifice.

The fanatic opened his mouth to yell to his team, yet all that escaped was a blood-curdling and ear-splitting cry. The hint of sadness resonated as he closed his mouth. His vision grew wet with tears. Not yet was he sure if they were of agony or joy.

"Oh no! Too early!" A voice yelped from behind. Sanity dripped out of Wibbup's mouth in the form of blood while he bit down on his skin. A chunky explosion popped where the voice was once heard. No scream of death was emitted with it, yet the thick and warm liquid raining down on him was enough proof of his deceased comrade. Wib slammed his eyes shut as he clenched his fists tighter around the grenades.

The Unggoy's foot landed in a puddle of his ally, causing him to slip forwards and land on his stomach. Wib skidded to the ground while the painful noise of his armor scrapping on the concrete pierced the air. Both explosives rolled a few feet forwards. In a panic the suicidal soldier lunged ahead while feeling around for his only weapons; he was still blinded by rage. As the grubby hands grasped the spheres, Wibbup pushed himself to his feet and into a sprint.

Shoutouts To - @tracker Llau

[Huka]

Stalker Cicerus
The senior Stalker jumped a short distance down to the main grounds from his perch, the heavy thump of his lean mass erupted a small free bloom of red earth around his feet and heads swung from their hairs in his clinging fists. In maddened smile of violent pleasures being his bestial-shaped respiratory mask, there was a gleam of glee in his maroon eyes at the sight of this young Chieftain before him.

Once he was the target of treacherous blood, now he've bloomed to a learning leader. It made the assassin's heart ebb in passionate joy to hunt for him and keep the tribe's purity in check.

Following after Garatus with renewed silence to the planet's crack and inquisitively watched as he retrieved a pike to pick a fallen Captain's head from the depth, the Stalker chuckled at the sight and refrained from commenting on the nice find. Finally he was asked on donate a visible piece of his hunt to be displayed. Cicerus almost felt like a cub on having his first big hunt and without much thought, gave his Chieftain the bearded skull of a old scarred Major.

"This one squirmed the most before the leviathan swallowed him whole." He growled in a metaphoric way before stabbing the cleaved stump of the head's neck onto the prong to the left of the speared Captain's head. Then he looked at Karonus with some interest. "What did you catch, cub?" Cicerus questioned with a tilt of his head, observing Garatus' noticeable favored cousin more closely.

[MrKill]

Colonel Killinger
7th Marines
BETA Cluster

"Not right now, Corporal." John replied. The young man from earlier had asked if there were any more orders but John couldn't think of any; right now his only focus was getting the most Marines he could out from this dome and back towards the UNSC garrison by the Alpha domes. It was proving to be a good mental exercise but John had made his decision. They'd ride along the surface because he knew, with the shield above him weakening at a rapid pace, they wouldn't have long to excavate the tunnels.

He ran through a mental checklist of the vehicles that were nearby. There were some abandoned Warthogs - mostly the LAAG variant - but they'd to the job he needed them to do. There were also more Warthogs on the way, the ones the Corporal found, but in total it was only six of the reliable vehicles. The convoy would at least have some firepower, but not much.

"Marines... who knows how to hotwire vehicles?"

It took a literal minute for someone to raise their hand. John understood why, admitting you know how to hotwire a vehicle could make someone assume you were malicious. John wasn't going to make that assumption... not yet at least, anyway, the man might prove to be a hero right now.

"Turn over as many vehicles you can that have enough fuel to make the journey to the Alpha Domes and enough speed to keep up with the Warthogs." John ordered. "As for the rest of you. I won't lie, what I'm about to tell you will make your frown. We have no choice but to ride to the Alpha dome on the surface. We'll head towards the Alpha Airstrip, not the airfield, unless the tactical situation changes. From there we'll head underground and regroup with the rest of the ground forces."

"Sir... we've leaving people behind?" A younger Marine asked.

"The mentality of 'leave no man behind'... is a tricky mentality. I'd love to collect the bodies of the deceased and incapacitated but the cold hard truth is that if we do stay we'll be dead within the next two hours. Making this choice is life or death, so it's pretty easy. We'll return if we can, but right now yes. Yes we are."

The Marines remained quiet for a moment. John sighed, these were mostly boots. Trained to leave no man behind when the reality was they've left entire divisions of casualties behind on planets that were being glassed. It wasn't the twenty first century anymore, but it was still a concept. Loyalty, honor and respect towards your fellow service men and women.

"Look," John said. "The Covenant glass planets; boil away the atmosphere and make it no longer habitable. We can't collect every body or non fatal casualty anymore, we just don't have the means. There have to be some sacrifices to our morale code if we're going to stay alive. I promise you that - if we can - we'll come back for the bodies and wounded. I'll lead the rescue effort myself, but as it stands we're combat ineffective. We need to regroup with what ever we can. Now get to work, Marines. We need every bullet you can find, every weapon that can be fired and every man that we can save. We leave shortly, so make your efforts worthwhile."

John watched as the Marines dispersed to follow his orders.

[Llau]

ONI Section III Field Operator, Lieutenant Michelangelo Moretti
Operation Lead
Protector // Alpha Cluster // Alpha Cluster Tunnel System
Hostage
Tag(s): Faclan , BetaWülf, @tracker, LaxKnight, Doc the Mother of Dragons


Exhaustion has taken over his body as he lain on his back, fighting to stay awake. The insurrectionists were starting to become more frantic and desperate at each passing minute. While he could hear the sounds of gunfire becoming more and more as the rebels who were with Larkin started to scramble and fire at the rescue team when the two ONI and the ODSTs were on approach after quickly dispatching the other group of younger Innies. He slowly lifted his head up off of the ground, glancing at the three Kig-Yar, then one of the rebels who was told to guard him, Eal, Talz, and Roh, and then his eyes shifted over to the group who were at the corner of the tunnel. They were everywhere, hiding behind rubble, pillars, and corners as they fired at the rescue team. Larkin was standing near the end, barking orders at them at a safe distance from enemy fire. Moretti rested his head back on the ground, panting a little through his parted lips, while he listened to the firefight before him.

Larkin was becoming angrier and much more desperate, the more his men were shot dead by the more military-trained and skilled ODSTs. He didn't see it, but Larkin ended up firing at some of his own men when they stopped fighting and retreated. The fight must have lasted a good ten or so minutes, since the gunfire has slowly died down, and the last few of the rebels were shot; either by the rescue party or by Larkin himself. There were two rebel soldiers left, which Larkin ordered them to stay their ground and keep firing at the approaching group who were here to save the field operator. Moments later, Moretti heard sounds of someone running over to them, and he looked up in a daze to see the second-in-commander of the rebels throw his empty gun to the side and take out a familiar knife from his belt.

Larkin glanced over at the guard. “Keep an eye on those space chickens, Pat,” he said, “If they try to move, shoot them.”

“Sir.” Patrick nodded and glared down at the three Kig-Yar as he checked his assault rifle to make sure it will fire.

Larkin stood over Moretti, smirking angrily down at him. He had his finger in the hole of the pommel of the Kerambit, and twirled the four-inch stainless steel blade with a black coating a few times before grasping it tightly in his hand. He leaned down, snatching the operator by the neckline of his shirt, and pulled him up a little.

“Remember this knife?” He asked. “I'm sure you do. I think I'll kill you with your own knife.”

Moretti didn't even move or respond with anything witty. The only thing he was able to do was let out a sigh, that mostly came out as a moan. His head and body felt heavy, but the much taller, muscular man pulled him into a sitting position with ease.

“Come on. Get up!” Larkin barked.

He slapped him hard in the head with his free hand, but glanced back when he heard a pained gasp from one of the two rebels he left to fight the rescue party. He growled, returning his attention on Moretti. He lightly slashed the blade across the ONI's neck, causing him to flinch and gasp a little in pain when the sharp blade cut the top layer of the skin. Next, he held him underneath his upper arm to lift him to his feet, and then quickly wrapped his arm around his neck.

“Let's go and meet your friends.” Larkin hissed, dragging him down to the end of the tunnel where the last of the rebels who were fighting with the ODSTs had fallen. He was bleeding from a neck and chest wound; which was causing him to have agonal breathing. Larkin paused, glancing down at him with a disappointed frown, but otherwise continued on.

Before moving out in the open, though, Larkin yelled out to the approaching party, “Don't shoot! Unless you want to shoot at your buddy here! What's his name? It's a shame that I...well...we never did get his name. What I mean is, his real name...”

He chuckled, walking out with Moretti held tightly in his arm. The terrorist had the blade pressed against the operator's chest as he showed himself to the group. “The asshole made up some bullshit name...Ben Dover...which, giving his smart ass attitude he had with us, I'm pretty sure he meant bend over. Right?”

He glanced down at him, and when he didn't get a response, he smiled angrily. He suddenly slashed the knife across Moretti's chest; causing the man to tense up as much as he could during his tired state. It was slow, and kinda deep, but very agonizing as blood poured out from the wound, like a few small streams. He smiled, pleased to hear the painful scream that came out of the Italian's mouth. He looked like he passed out for a few seconds there, but otherwise, he was hanging on to what was left of his consciousness.

“Fuck...off...” murmured Moretti.

“What was that?” Larkin asked, but shook his head. He laughed. “I must say...the pain you are in is like music to my ears...” Larkin said. He then looked back at the rescue party, placing the Kerambit against Moretti's neck this time.

“If you don't let me go, the next thing you guys will watch is me slashing his knife across his neck,” he threatened; pressing the blade hard. “Let me go, and he gets to live! I'm not playing around!”

“Shoot him...fucking shoot the piece of shit...” Moretti forced out in pain.

[MorpheusDavol]

Loken Gnash- Corporal 

153rd ODST CO, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad 

Beta Domes 

Protector, Tranquilius Beta System 

Arrival...

The squad of ODST had just arrived at the dome as everyone began to set up to leave, Loken eye caught what looked to be a Marine...hot wiring vehicles. Well it made since if they didn't have the means to start them, from what he could guess this was a objective to pull out of this area or something. With the covenant at their door step he approved none the less of getting out of here alive, not in a body bag or worse. Reminco looked over to Loken as the younger ODST eyes drifted around taking in the situation, he called his name which got the Corporal attention.


"Try to keep a eye out for who's in charge, see if they got any orders." Reminco advised the ODST who nodded but it seemed a stray Marine helping get ready to leave heard them. The tired man was breathing heavy clearly tired from all the work he was doing before he pointed in a certain direction. "Colonel is that way, We're... getting ready to leave- and not with everyone." The marine sighed shaking his head clearly upset but he knew that they wouldn't be able to get everyone; the dead and critically injuried would not make it. 


"Thank you." Loken told him then looked to Reminco as he had heard as well, it looked like the squad of five ODSTs where heading for the Colonel.    


MrKill SPARTAN-A120

[LaxKnight]

PVT Maria ‘Rookie’ Connelly
153rd ODST
The Tunnels
Kicking A$$, Taking Names!
Song Maria Was Humming: The Rumjacks - An Irish Pub Song
Tag(s): Llau, Faclan, @tracker, Doc the Mother of Dragons, BetaWülf, 

The firefight ensued for a few minutes as the inexperienced fighters of the Insurrection tried to take on the elite team of ODSTs. Besides the battle hardened veteran and leader of this fireteam CPL McMillian, a fragile looking woman hid behind cover taking only a few well aimed shots at the opposition they were facing. Maria trained all her life for moments like these but she never realized how...scary this moment was. This was only her third mission ever and this was the first time she actually fired back at someone, let alone at other humans. When the Covenant shot at you, you could see the bright plasma coming at you. Bullets were a different story. They were invisible to the eye and the sound of them pittering against her cover scared her.

At this moment Maria was operating solely on training and instinct. She fired when it was best to and took cover when she needed to. She didn’t notice the people fleeing, who were mostly teenagers; she didn’t notice that someone was shooting at the cowards, and she didn’t notice how well the team was doing. All she was doing was reacting while her mind remained in shock of what was going on. That was until she heard over the com, “Connelly! Brit! Move Sucker Punch!”

That woke Maria out of her trance. She now had a job to do. People were depending on her. Though...what was Sucker Punch? She wanted to help but what the fuck was Sucker Punch? Did she actually Sucker Punch someone? Seems kind of silly in a firefight.

“Rookie!!”

Maria saw motion, it was Brit’s hand. How did she get up here? “We go up. Follow me. Set?” she said then readied her Silenced SMG. A face of newfound enthusiasm and determination crossed her face as the fiery haired lass readied her own weapon. “Set,” Maria replied.

“Moving!” Brit called over the com.

“Move!” was the reply from Mick.

The machine gun thundered next to Maria as it stepped up its fire rate to suppressive. Under the relative protection of Mick’s coverfire, she and Brit exited their cover and ran up to the next piece of cover. As they went, Maria began humming one of the various rock songs she knew. It kept her focused and amped. From their new position the two ODSTs quickly acquired targets and engage the surprised Innies. Maria first target was a girl who barely looked 17. No matter how wide-eyed or scared she looked, she still carried a gun which made her a threat. She barely had time to think before Maria lit them up. For a moment the act appalled her. They were supposed to be fighting aliens, not themselves. But then she snapped back to reality as some rounds flew her direction. She continued to hum to the music she played in her mind as she took down more bad guys.

“Move!” a British accent yelled over the com.

Machine gun fired yet again intensified as the dynamic duo charged through the gauntlet of enemies, eliminating them as they went. “Running low!” Brit called as she guided them to their next hiding place, “Reloading.”

Maria guarded Brit as she replaced her clip, vigilant of anyone stupid enough to dare and shoot at them. Two particularly idiotic rebels decided to test the theory before Maria heard Brit yell, “Set!”

Figuring that she would run low soon and that she may need a full clip for their next charge, Maria said, “Reloading,” before replacing her own clip. Making sure it was fully inserted with an enthusiastic slap, she yelled, “Set.”

With that the machine gun fire pulsed again to cover them as they ran forward. At this point the terrorists’ numbers have been reduced drastically under this bold new tactic from either running in fear of their might, getting shot down by their own leader, or simply slayed by elite team of ODSTs, a Corpsman, and some ONI personnel. Soon enough their numbers actually dwindled lower than the rescue team. Connelly and Brit were far ahead of the rest of the team by the time they reach near the T-section. The sound of gunfire has reduced drastically, now only the occasional burst of fire. Noticing the lack of resistance, with a wave of her hand Brit signalled for them to slow down. Maria’s humming tuned to a slower rhythm as they crept out of cover and advanced slowly and cautiously. Suddenly a man appeared out from the tunnel going right. The two women both fired a short burst into him, quickly putting him down as the Irish lass continued to hum.

Two men exited the tunnel now only 20 feet away, one holding the other hostage with a knife to his throat. At this Maria stopped humming. They kept their weapons trained on them while the man was given his time to make a speech. Maria frankly didn’t listen to it but she heard someone say, “He’s got our target.”

When she saw the terrorist slash Maria’s trigger finger got a little tighter but she still didn’t fire. She wasn’t one to take initiative and this looked to be a sticky situation…

“Shoot him...fucking shoot the piece of shit...”

“Okay,” Connelly replied with casualness that was almost scary. She swore she saw the terrorist give a look of confusion or surprise. She wasn’t sure for less than a second after she said okay she let loose a short pull of the trigger. Out of the 5 rounds: two missed, one hit the terrorist’s chest, while two got him in the head. The dead man fell backward while the live one collapsed forward.

There was a few seconds where Connelly or Brit didn’t move. Then suddenly Maria burst through her speakers, “I got em! I saved the day!”

With that she held her SMG like a guitar and her right hand ‘strummed’ a power chord as she sang it, imagining the crowd going wild at her performance. “Rookie!” she heard the familiar voice of her NCO, CPL McMillian, scream through the com, “Get the man to cover and keep him secured!”

“Oh! Yes Corporal!” she said with extra pep. She and Brit hefted the ONI operative up, putting his arms around their shoulders, and took him to cover to get treated.

[Huka]

Field Marshal Til Je’at Ze’ta ‘Muramai

Covenant Ground Command

Til leaned against the war-table, keeping relatively silent to listening to the advanced drum of plasma smashing against the lesser defense, his hearts matching tempo in excitement of seeing the humans’ precious dome collapse and conquer those within but that was sullied to the sound of the distressed Kael. While he was empathetic to her pleas, there was moments to be a heartless commander, and so he stood up slowly. Turning towards the Champion, his single visor glared down at her. “You have your orders, Champion Gel. I suggest you prepare your soldiers for a swift entry.” He said slow and firm before his head jerked to the standing Special Operations Commander, who’ve kept silent and attentive the entire time in his own corner.

“Commander, you as well.” He said, simply to get the white-armored officer out of his sight before he started to get real stern.

Looking down at the dome again via the war-table, he tapped his fingers at the glyphs of all dropships in the immediate area, “I want all to give me the signal when full and ready.” He instructed while preparing the other armies on their progress for the Alpha dome’s future destruction. If all else, the Zealot couldn’t let the humans continue their development on these shields.

"High Trierarch," He contacted through direct communications, "Starting glassing for any anti-air defenses upon the collapse. We need to keep as few casualties as possible." "Agreed, Field Marshal." The Destroyer Commander replied casually, halting his assault for a moment and drifted his mighty vessel aside for a better position before the belly of the vessel started to gather plasma for its beam. On that note, Til signaled for his bodyguards to join in the assault with a gesture.

The Kahnu Mgalekgolo standing motionless as statues for a moment instantly stiffened up their harness with a pulsating of their eels before marching away, the more barbaric-looking of the pair sprang its spines out in bloodthirsty eagerness. 

[Faclan]

(Tags: Huka, Llau, LaxKnight, Doc the Mother of Dragons .)

(Gona wait for a Eal post till BetaWülf posts, so can respond to all of the Eal and the Human stoff, and then stab the Human guard if he wants, Eal has a knfie for Roh if needed, though Roh's got his nest weapons :> )

Kael Gel - T'vaoan Champion.
Topside.
Moving for murder.

The females hands were shaking as Til delivered his response to her plea, once more the female was on the verge of doing something incredibly stupid before Rohs face in her mind calmed her down again. Well calmed enough for her to not try to murder some people near-by as she just nodded at the Sangheili. But no salute as it was clear the Champion was struggling to stay under control as she turned on her heel and set off at a run toward her troops as she grunted out orders to her Entourage.

"You know your files and lances...load up into the Phantoms to be deployed to cut off all surface chances of exit. None will get past unless they have been ordered to live...NOW!" The Murmillo's quickly responded with a 'Yes Mistress!', as well as the Major that was taking Eal's place as he was currently underground with Roh...Her poor little chick Roh.

Growling and clamping her beak shut tightly and shook her head a bit. She needed to focus or she risked the lives of her Entourage and herself. Roh was a trained fighter, as was Eal, they could handle issues. The Champion hopping on a transport with her Commandos and a file as they prepared for deployment.

Kael would get out her sorrow and rage on the Humans in full...


Chris Hyde - ONI Scientist
Underground searching.
Success?!

Having been reloading when the ODST's started to move up properly Chris quickly moved up from his cover with SMG raised to try and keep up with them as they went. Chris would have probably felt disgusted, more than he already did about the Insurrection, if he had seen that they were shooting children but thankfully he was tunnel versioned on his sights and the ODST's as he moved up. He was doing what Mike had told him do in a firefight, focus on targets and bullets and to make the two meet before he met their bullets. It seemed to be working well as a few rounds as embedded into his Recon chest plate but none had pierced it and he had maybe even scored a few hits as the gunfire suddenly stopped. On the way out with Mike Chris would probably have the realization on what he had been shooting, that would be fun.

Finally slowing down enough to see that the shooting had stopped for a moment he kept his SMG up and ready as he was waiting for more targets to show up. And when a man showed up he nearly fired...but held enough to see that Mike was being held but this Human. Biting his lip he glanced to the side at the ODST's as the man made his demands. It seemed that Mike had led this guy on a merry chase through the tunnels finding this 'secret door'. Typical Mike. The name was also a good touch, typical Mike. But he didn't really know what to do as it would be a hard shot to be made to save Mike. Maybe they could wait till he tried to run and then shoot him then?

That was of course until one of the ODST's just casually made the shot...The Rookie?! Balking a bit at how close Mike came to being a friendly fire death he quickly ran forward as the taller Innie fell back dead and made it to Mikes side as the Rookie did. Keeping his SMG held somewhat up as he made it to his friends side and helped the ODST move him into cover and then lightly set him down.

"Jackson could you come help make sure Mike's alright?! Seems like a bad cut...We made it man." He said, smiling inside his helmet as he lightly patted his friends shoulder before he remembered what he had been listening to on the way down here. "Where are those Kig-Yar you were with?...The Innies didn't kill them did they?!" He asked, a bit aghast before clearing his throat and nodding. "How you doing Mike?" He added...them priorities mang.

(So Kigs still behind the corner doing whatever it is they doing :> )

[BetaWülf]

(Tags; Faclan Llau Doc the Mother of Dragons @tracker LaxKnight )
T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.
Why me?

Roh listened as that damn bastard Larkin spoke to the... Pat... telling this Pat to shoot them if they tried anything. Then he watched as the evil Larkin did his foul deeds, cutting on the Mike, who barely reacted through the grogginess of being beaten half to death. Then Larkin took Mike, took him away for Aecor only knows what.

"The leader... Larkin, he told the guard to watch us, and shoot us if we tried anything..." Roh whispered to Eal and Talz.

Roh watched for a short while, hearing some Rebel scum in pain in the not so distant distance. It was unsettling, all that had happened, and the fact he was probably going to die. Then it sank in... he was going to die, they all were, him, Eal, and Talz. Roh couldn't abide this... at least not his companions dying, they'd gone through so much together in such a short time, he felt a strong bond with them both.

"Eal... I don't know about you, but I'm feeling about ready to be tempting fate" he said, a serious look on his face, "I'll try to knock the guard down, and you stab them... in the eyes if you would" Roh said.

"Talz, Eal... if this doesn't work out... I... I couldn't have had a better pair of kindred by my side"

Then Roh set himself into motion, he slowly shifted onto his stomach and slowly raised himself up. There was a shot from down the hallway where Larkin went, and the guard Pat turned to look that way... a fatal mistake. With all the speed and none of the grace, Roh sprang forward and balled himself up, like a Cannon ball from an ancient ship of yore.

He slammed into Pat with his shoulder, knocking the damnable Human to the ground and bouncing off into the wall. He hit the wall hard when he landed, hitting his temple, breaking and bruising the skin. A slow stream of purple blood trickled down over his brow. He hoped to Aecor he had done the right thing....


(Tags; Faclan Huka Remnant )
Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Take to the skies!

Garatus looked over to his Uncle and nodded, Cad had paid his price, in blood and pain. "Agreed Uncle" Garatus said respectfully. He almost allowed himself to cringe when Karonus was wacked on the head with that staff of their Uncle's, but that would have been weak at this point, and a Chieftain cannot show weakness. He then turned to Cicerus and grinned "Most excellent Cousin, I'm most pleased with your efficiency in dealing with the squirmer and his ilk" the Chieftain said.

It was not long before the Phantom to carry Garatus arrived, slowly lowering itself to allow admittance of Troops. "Looks like it is time to continue the slaughter, let us load into our Holy chariot my kinsmen" he said with a toothy grin. Garatus was the first one in, shouldering a Major out of his path with a growl before the gravity lift pulled him up into the air. He landed with a thump inside the Phantom, before making his way to his preferred riding area, hanging out the side by a strong grip on a hand hold.

Garatus's longtime friend and ally, the Captain Valorus, came and stood with his back to his Chieftain, arms crossed as he faced back into the Phantom with a mean look on his face. He was loyal, and knew now would be an ideal time for a would-be assassin to kill Garatus, shoving the Chieftain from the vessel wouldn't be too hard if one was determined enough. Valorus was paranoid about such things after the brawl in the Ale-house when Assassins tried to murder Garatus, Valorus's mate's brother perished in that fight.

"All Jiralhanae, this is your Chieftain Garatus! We have some of our Warriors in the fray already, so get ready to reinforce our positions and kill some damn Humans!" Garatus roared into his communications feed, the breeze ruffling his Mohawk as the Phantom sped towards their drop zone.

[Faclan]

Tags: BetaWülf, Llau, LaxKnight, @tracker, Doc the Mother of Dragons

(NPC)Eal Tas - T'vaoan Murmillo
End of the line...of the tunnel.
Now would be the time to pray if you are a believer.

Eal just grunted as he was informed that the guard with rifle half raised in their direction had been told to kill them if they moved. And another grunt when Human Mike was slashed along his neck and dragged toward the tunnel again. Apparently to meet the Black Humans as the gunfire had escalated and then suddenly stopped as judging by Larkins reactions his forces hadn't survived. Glancing at their guard under his helmet Eal shifted the dagger hidden by his hand so he had a reverse grip on it and Roh thankfully blocked the Humans view of Eals hand. The Human looked jumpy, for good reason as he was likely soon going to die, either by scum Larkins hand or the Black Humans. Scum Larkin taking hostages to save his own worthless skin and shooting at his own out matched forces for attempting to keep him safe. Just like a Sunk Sisterhood. But he turned his head fully when Roh's face fell and he seemed to be grasping the very possible fact that they would be just killed as well.

It was unfortunate that the hand that was nearest Roh was busy holding his dagger so he couldn't set a hand on the Major's shoulder without it looking suspicious as hell. He would have to try and comfort him with words. But as Roh cheeped out his plan Eal just nodded and gave a little reply before it was all set into action.

"Isn't it the Gel way to grab fate by the beak and shake it around? We will make it through this, all of us, and your Mama will be very proud of you Roh."

Hissing a bit at the guard to make him more distracted that he was Roh moved in and leapt at the guard. Eal moved in after him, bad hand his trying to provide balance as he sprang at the man with dagger raised and ready to stab. With the guard on the ground it was easy pickings for Eal to fall down on his form and bring the dagger down with it. But as his blade fell toward the Humans left eye either panic or blind luck made the Humans rifle point up right at Eals gut. The Murmillo accepted his slow death as his dagger stabbed into the Humans eye and the bad Human spasmed before death. The shot going off in its last moments.

But he didn't feel any pain as he looked back to see that Talz had leapt forward as well with her comrades and grabbed the rifle to shove it far enough that it would miss Eal. Smiling at her he jiggled his dagger before sliding it out of the Humans skull while rolling off. Eal filled with a lot of joy as well as dread as he heard the bootfalls of Humans behind them down the tunnel before stopping. The three of them were proper Mates now, having helped to save each others lives many times now - and should Aecor wish it they would join his crew now as Talz took a few deep breaths before slowly laying down on the ground with her hands clasped behind her head looking away from the Humans.

Eal considered trying to help Roh when he saw his injuries...but the Humans probably wouldn't allow that as he just smiled at Roh, that still thankfully visible under his helmet as he raised up his damaged hand so it was over his shoulder, the Murmillos back facing the Black Humans as he was on his knees, as he slowly flicked the blood and skull matter off his dagger and then sheathed it back on his chest armor before moving both of his hands to the top of his head as he rested on his knees - despite the possibility that he was about to be executed Eal was smiling.

(Edited the part where you had written that Larkin slashed Mike across the chest before dragging him away. It was Mike's neck, not his chest. Slashing him across the chest happened after. -Llau)

[Remnant]

Jiralhanae Minor Karonus

""You two, spike your severed heads on the prongs of this if you can be parted with them, it would please your Chieftain" Karonus heard Garatus say.

"As you say, Chieftain." Karonus smiled, ready to set off back towards the ambush site. But before he could, he heard a whistle of wind. Followed by a loud SMACK. Karonus yelped, though not very loudly, as Eugineus' Staff whacked the top of his helmet and head. He was dazed for a moment as he tried to regain his senses.

He looked over at Eugineus, and flinched when he reached for him, only to be embraced in a side hug.

"Also proud of your work Karonus, your skills have been improving immensely and you are turning into a proper warrior. Just need to get your mannerisms and awareness up and you'll be a model Jiralhanae." He heard Eugineus say, giving a big smile towards Garatus and Karonus.

"I'm sorry, Uncle...I should pay attention more often. I thank you for complimenting me, however. I need to set off soon, must retrieve the heads of a few Ragnus that I slaughtered earlier." Karonus said, giving a big, joyful grin.

"Perhaps we can talk more when I get back? I have been eager to listen to any stories you may have, describing your recent conquests." Karonus asked.

Before he could leave, however, he was stopped once more.

"What did you catch, cub?" Karonus heard a voice say. He looked to see Cicerus.

"A Major and two Minors." Karonus said. "I'll be back soon, I must go fetch them."

Karonus quickly set off towards the ambush site, alone. He figured this was his mission alone, and perhaps the other File members could get a chance to rest during his absence. It took a while to get there, mostly because Karonus decided to walk.

He never really had the chance to observe the environment. It was mainly a large pit. Karonus was at the edge of it on a ridge. He looked at the center of it to see three corpses. One headless, the other two about to be headless. The blood from earlier was still there, but dry. He could also start to smell a stench from the corpses. He slid down the ridge, got to his feet, and walked to the center.

He grabbed the beheaded Major's head, and stuffed it into a bag he took with him. He drew his Hunting Knife, and just as he was about to severe the heads of the two corpses, he heard voices.

"You smell that? It smells...like a kill. Recent. Jiralhanae." One voice said.

"How recent?" Another voice said.

"I'd say an hour at best."

"I can smell the blood."

"...Wait. There's something else, too."

"I smell it as well. It's alive."

"It's a Jiralhanae."

Suddenly the voices stopped, and the footsteps got closer. Karonus quickly ran toward the ridge, and hid below one of it's protruding overhangs. The footsteps got closer, until they were right above him, on top of the overhang.

"The scent is close now.."

"Look! Over there, in the center. Corpses."

"Look around you. The entire pit is scattered with corpses."

The two Ragnus dropped from the overhang in front of Karonus, their backs facing him. They walked to the center of the pit, and examined the three corpses.

"Look, a Major.." One of the Ragnus said, in a slight shock, examing the headless corpse. "His murderers will pay for the blood they have spilled." The Ragnus growled.

"Then stop talking and come fight me." Karonus said loud and clear, standing up.

"Little whelp! Should have run while you could!" One of the Ragnus said.

"Why run from such a small challenge? You idiots are nothing. I came here for three heads. I already have your precious Major's. Perhaps I should add fresh blood to the collection?" Karonus said, followed by laughter.

Karonus quickly drew his Spiker, and fired it at the two Ragnus. One fled behind a bolder, while the other was stuck out in the open. Three spikes pierced the unarmed Ragnus' in the chest, forcing it into a kneeling position from the white-hot pain. As Karonus put up his Spiker, he pulled out his Scimitars as the Ragnus charged at him.

The Ragnus attempted to leap towards him, however, Karonus rolled to the side, and it stumbled as it landed, loosing it's footing. Karonus kneeled onto it's back, and stabbed a Scimitar deeply into the back of it's neck. He heard the other Ragnus come out from behind the rock. Leaving the Scimitar embedded into the other Ragnus' neck, he rolled once more, and got onto his feet.

"Brother? Brother! YOU KILLED HIM!" The Ragnus shouted with pure hatred. It went berserk and charged Karonus. Karonus swung his Scimitar at it, but the Ragnus smacked the blunt side of the blade, launching the scimitar out of his hand. It grabbed Karonus' throat with it's hands, and attempted to choke him.

He quickly grabbed his Hunting Knife and stabbed the Jiralhanae in the temple, surprising it. It's blood splattered across Karonus' hand and wrist. As it loosened it's grip, Karonus kicked it down onto the ground. Retrieving the Scimitar it knocked away earlier, he made a swift slice, beheading the corpse, and splattered fresh blood onto his face. He quickly put the head into the bag, and walked to the other corpse.

He pulled his scimitar out of the back of it's neck, and did the same thing as before, getting even more blood on his face and chest. He stuffed the third head into the bag, and climbed the ridge to get out of the pit. He began walking back to the camp, finally done with the retrieval.

Upon returning he quickly dumped the sack of heads in front of everyone, and placed each one on the three remaining spikes, the Major's being the last one. The first two still had fresh blood all of them, while the Major's was relatively dry. However, when Karonus' piereced it's head with the spike, fresh blood trinkled from it as well. Karonus howled with excitement, proud that he had accomplished the task alone. He observed himself, noticing fresh blood still covered him. He took a quick sniff.

It did not smell bad. It smelt great, rather. It was the smell of victory. Karonus turned to see a Phantom arrive. He was the second to step in, right after Garatus. As Garatus got to his preferred riding area, Karonus stood beside him.

"I've fought more today than I have in a long time. I have a feeling this is just the beginning, considering Humans are up next." Karonus said, with a smile.

Karonus turned and looked around for Eugineus, this time not forgetting about him. Karonus promised that he would chat with Eugineus when he returned, and he planned to commit it. As soon as he saw Eugineus, he waved him towards himself and Garatus, hoping to engage in a group conversation with them. Karonus felt the phantom lift off and sped toward the drop zone. The breeze was magnificent, as it ruffled his fur. It was refreshing. The burning aches in his body immediately began to cool, and the fresh Ragnus blood began to soak into his fur.

Perhaps he could continue wearing it was some sort of war paint.

[BetaWülf]

(Tags: Faclan Llau LaxKnight @tracker Doc the Mother of Dragons )
T'vaoan Major Roh Gel.
Well... now what?

Roh groggily watched as Eal dispatched the Pat, his hand over his slowly bleeding wound. He was breathing shakily in his slight disorientation, shaking his head to try and clear his mind of the fogginess. He heard Humans talking in the not so distant distance, their obscene tongue obscured from clarity by what he was guessing was a minor concussion.

He slowly assumed the position, arms in the air, hand interlocked, head down. His left hand was caked with purple blood, and his wound still bled, though more of a trickle than a seep now. He noticed Eal smile at him, and he returned it with a smirk, before shaking his a little with a low chuckle. He recalled what Eal had said just before they took out Pat.

"I hope the Gel is my way, since I may die for it. I maybe should have gone with the Hul way and built a boat, and dropped it on them all" he lamented, hopefully lightening the mood, since currently it was a mood of definite imprisonment and possible death.

Roh heard Humans shouting now, and slowly went onto his stomach as he heard heavy boot falls coming their way. If they killed them, he hoped they'd leave their bodies, at least that way they could be returned home, to be returned to the seas. He mostly didn't want his remains to be dissected and desecrated... and closure for his Mama... so she wouldn't have to go on wondering what happened to him.

"Don't shoot please, I like myself without piercings or punctures, as do my compatriots!" Roh said to the approaching Humans.


Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
(To be added).

[Guardian Cat of Yappa's]

Captain Kelvin Duncan

1/7, 53rd CE, A Co

Arriving at the mountains...... 

Protector, Tranquilius Beta System

Wait are those, awe just f*** it

The LAV roared as it raced towards the mountains, it's occupant's praying that Covenant air support wouldn't spot the convoy. Course if a banshee was to make it's way towards them it would be greeted with four M41 machine guns. Duncan felt confident that any fast-flyers in the area would avoid the convoy, course this was the covenant he was thinking of. He looked around the compartment, there wasn't much space left over after you stuck marines in here, how was he gonna fit a group of eggheads in here with them.

"Hey you guys remember how the platoon sergeant dropped that bank from a mile away with a pound of C12!" a voice shouted out, Duncan couldn't remember for the sake of his life what happened to the platoon sergeant. All he knew was that he didn't hit the surface with the rest of the company, so in a way he was one lucky S.O.B.

"I always have to remind you that Anvil unloaded at-least 10 rounds into that bank, otherwise we would have had to gone to that bank as well Dennis." The 53rd has had one of the best track records when it's come to the number of casualties suffered during the war. For the 53rd, Sanctuary was considered heavy losses, Duncan did his best to keep his men alive.

"You boys should be thankful that the 7th has a tank unit like Anvil, I'll take grizzlies covering my ass over scorpions anyday." His mouth curved in a slight smile, at least some things never changed in his company.

The LAV rocked hard, throwing the marines around, as the sound of a muffled explosion reached their ears. The Wails of the M41's followed immediately from it, putting everyone on alert to what was going on.

"Corporal! Who got hit by those rounds?"

"One of the lead 'hogs sir, fuel rod round hit it from the side, came out of nowhere."

"Sergeant get that gun fired up!"

"Gladly, one cooked banshee coming right up."

The slightly muffled roar of the boar's machine gun filled the compartment. Mags slammed into rifles as they all prepared for the possibility of bailing out of the boar for a firefight. The intensity of the situation caused the air to become thick. Duncan's own heart was racing, the idea of death creeping at the back of his mind.

The thought ran from his mind though, as the amazing sound of an explosion filled the air. The sight of a burning wreckage screamed over the boar. The driver let out a yulp of joy. Yet the warthogs' wailing didn't cease. Causing Duncan to climb to the front of the LAV.

"Why haven't the 'hogs stopped firing?"

The shifting of armor was visible, but inaudible, as the driver looked over his shoulder to look at Duncan. "Sir, we still got one more Bogey in the A.-" Plasma fire clashed against the armor of the boar as the banshee made a strafe over them. "Shit, gun's fired captain!"

The Banshee rushed away from the convoy, the hull riddled with bullet holes. Duncan watched in fear as it sweeped wide before heading back toward the convoy. The Banshee roared as it picked up speed. The wings shaking from the hail of bullets being sent at it. They were forced to watch as blue plasma lanced at the nearest hog, splashing over the gunner and the machine gun.

Screams filled Duncan's ears, unsure of whether they were the man's or his own, as the man collapsed and fell off the 'hog. Hitting the dirt at high-speeds, and disappearing in a mere second. He slammed his fist into the hull, as another fuel rod round lanced out. It shot past the disabled warthog, and went crashing into the other boar. He watched as it jackknifed before going into a insane roll. Duncan watched with horror, his close friend and XO was in that boar.

A Rocket lanced out at the banshee, crashing into it and causing it to explode in a fiery ball.
"We have to go back! Captain, we can't leave them behind." one of the various soldiers behind him stated. The road to the mountainside was visible now, which meant they were almost to the target location. "We can't, we have a short window to evac, we have orders, we follow them."
Duncan's throat ached like someone had hit his adam's apple, and his eyes watered, but he forced them back. The warthogs followed the boar up the road, and to the entrance of the bunker that the scientists were dug into.

The doors of the LAV swung open, and the combat engineers disembarked, finding the entrance to the base caved in. "It would have been nice of them to inform us about the cave in," Duncan let out a sigh as he approached the mound of rocks, "well we don't have many options, if we blast our way through we could cause a landslide and kill ourselves. But if we dig, we could be here for hours and possibly days. Sergeant, get your best demolitions to set the charges, the rest of you get clear. I don't want to lose anymore men."

[MrKill]

Mission Seven has ended, finally!

Llau and I (MrKill) decided to cut the mission off shortly.

The UNSC's shield domes did not hold against the Covenant bombardments. Colonel Killinger and the Marines he could find regrouped with the UNSC Army survivors to strengthen their force for a counter offensive, but when they realized it would be suicide, they tactically withdrew from the Beta domes VIA surface convoy before the final of the domes collapsed.

The Scientists stuck in the lab, unfortunately, were consumed by the carnivorous ant-like creatures before a suitable military force were able to reach them. Unfortunately there were no survivors, but what made things worse, was the military casualties encountered trying to rescue the now deceased scientists.

The Covenant continued their destructive campaign, killing thousands of human civilians and any remaining Military resistance at the Beta Domes as efficient as they were ruthless, casualties were light after the majority of the UNSC Forces retreated. Continuing their assault the Covenant Naval Warships split into two group of two and attacked the UNSC Fleet in orbit. They were successful in destroying the space elevator. Fittingly nearby Covenant reinforcements jumped in.

Consequentially the UNSC Navy had to order an emergency evacuation.

The Alpha Dome Shields were lowered to allow anything that could ferry troops and civilians from surface to ship, but allowed the Covenant to easily push through hastily established defensive lines, though the UNSC were able to effectively resist the Covenant eventually.

Fortunately, thanks to the sheer size of the refit station accompanying the UNSC fleet, a large part of the Alpha Cluster's population was evacuated.

The Covenant, after the UNSC left, glassed the planet.

Estimated casualties:

Human (Troops):
Estimated 70, 000 civilian casualties.
Estimated 4, 000 military casualties.

Human (Material):
- Estimated 68 aircraft lost.
- Estimated 52 ground vehicles lost.
- Estimated 18 Dropships lost.


Covenant (Troops):
Estimated 3, 600 military casualties.

Covenant (Material):
- Estimated 30 aircraft lost.
- Estimated 40 ground vehicles lost.
- Estimated 5 dropships lost.