DC Street Chicken (Division/Halo(Open)

[Faclan]

Kael Gel - T'vaoan Commander
RFK Stadium, Business Box/Club seating - 3 PM
Nervous but prepared.

"Keep trying every three cycles, if we dont get anything by tonight we will send a scouting party."

The Ruuthian nodding as he returned to the radio readout screen as the Champion moved to the open window to look down at the field below. The Lich parked in one corner so it would be harder to see from above as her forces were currently just finishing getting defensive materials out of it. They were working well now.

But all this felt so wrong.

She made sure not to nudge the radio antenna as she slid out of the door onto the boxes balcony before hopping over the side and dropping the twenty feet down to the regular seats and started to head down. Nodding at her two female Commandos as they saluted before returning to directing the troops. It was odd, having more than her Entourage here. But Reach was supposed to be a hard nut to crack...and so she had been given several additional Kig-Yar teams to ensure their foothold was established and held. So they had radio techs and some vehicle mechanics. All Kig-Yar naturally as they worked the best with each other but this was still wrong.

There was almost no resistance here. Despite it being Reach of all places. No anti-air fire. No Bigsword or whatever there fighter was called. And the tan humans that had been in this location that Kael had quickly pointed at to land at hadn't really fired much. They had more so ran away. The few that were not gunned down of course. Their weapons originally looted for selling later but after looking over them they were not the standard UNSC affair. Neither was tan. When was tan the Human color?! With blue of all extra colors! The weapons now laid on one of the sides of the field with the magazines removed for examination later.

Now on the ground Kael hissed to herself as she walked across the...fake grass(?) pitch before arriving at the Lich's landing spot. The two Spectre's parked under it currently being checked to make sure they were good to go as small arms were charged at stations near the landing gears as well. The location having been already secured as best they could manage and barricades set up to keep the Tan/Blue Humans out if they wanted to try and come back.

Perhaps some kind of milita?

"Mistress Gel, we have nearly made it to the roof to provide overwatch and keep an eye out for Human vehicles. It is however looking like there had already been a war here." Tal reported as he worked on climbing the scaffolding and ladders of the stadiums room with two other sniper teams. That was also odd to Kael. Why would the 'heart' of the UNSC have this much civil unrest if all the smoke and blocked streets seen on the descent were anything to go by? It all made no sense!

"Well done Tal, make sure you find hidden locations to observe from," she moved away from the mechanics and her own forces before adding. "I think something is terribly wrong here. We may be alone. Do not expose yourself to anything. We cannot afford a loss if I am right."

There was a pause before Tel responded. "Understood Mistress. I'll inform the Sisters to keep anyKig from leaving until we are sure. Or until night which I assume is when we will explore?"

"Correct, keep your eyes out til then. We may be here for awhile."

[Llau]

Kiefer Eriksson
Strategic Homeland Division
Callsign: Tenebris || Tactical Agent
DC, not far from the RFK Stadium – 3 PM || Weather – Sunny, hot, humid, but with rain approaching.
Wait...Is That...?

Summertime wasn't the best time of year wandering around out here these days. The stench of mold, mildew, rotting garbage and the decaying of dead bodies that weren't in body bags of those who perished from the outbreak six months prior, as well as those who recently were killed in various situations out here, was as strong as ever. He was glad to have a filtration mask on his person to not have to breathe in the atrocious odors, and not only use it for places where the dangerous Dollar Flu was still contagious; which there were still several places outside of the Dark Zones within the DC area which were. He felt bad for those who would be tasked cleaning up all of this mess...if they ever managed to get to that point. So far, he wasn't so sure if things will ever go back to normal because right now, small settlements, surviving, and fighting against factions like the Hyenas, the Outcasts, True Sons, and the Black Tusk in what's left of the nation's capital (and other places) was the new normal. He wanted to join the Division when he was approached to help in case something like this happened because he wanted to help. He'll see it through, no matter what.

He sighed, wiping sweat off of his forehead as the afternoon sun sluggishly rolled across the sky, beating its hot rays down on him as he cautiously wandered the quiet post-apocalyptic streets of DC. He glanced around, hearing nature's ambiance and all the building structures settling was a vast contrast to the sounds of a once busy city. The silence was unnerving, even to someone like him, who was more used to various ambient noises. If there weren't any possible dangers, he'd place his earbuds in his ear to listen to some music. Maybe he'll do that once he's in a safe area. Glancing up when he heard the faint sounds of thunder a couple of miles away from the city, he slowed his pace as he felt a couple of rain droplets – relief from this hot and humid weather was finally on the way...he hoped.

Eriksson was about ready to continue down the debris-littered street when he saw something large fly overhead. He stopped abruptly, thinking it was one of the Black Tusk's large weaponized drones and was about ready to take cover, but when he stared at it longer, the more he realized it wasn't a drone, but a ship of some kind. He blinked, slowly bringing his Military P416 to chest-level and gazed into the scope to get a closer look as it cruised toward the RFK Stadium.

Is that a...space...ship? He wondered to himself, mouth slightly agape and a brow raised in confusion and awe as he stared at it until it disappeared from view as it landed inside the stadium. His heart started to race somewhat inside of his chest, especially as iSAC's monotonous robotic voice sounded in his ear as the AI reported to him about the strange ship.

“I see that...” he muttered back.

Eriksson studied where the stadium was for a long moment before pressing at his Division watch to activate the Pulse Scanner to see if anyone was dropped off by the ship were in his vicinity. If there were, he'll know as soon as the HUD of his contact lenses revealed their positions to him. Thankfully, the area was clear, but he needed to report his encounter to the Division coordinator ASAP. He pressed on his ear piece of his throat mic strapped to him, and quietly spoke calmly, despite the situation. “Tenebris to Base.”

“Tenebris, this is Manny. What's your SITREP?” replied the Coordinator, Manny Ortega.

“Uh...” He hesitated. How could he explain seeing a space ship to him?

“Agent? Are you okay?” Ortega asked, suddenly concerned.

The SHD Agent licked at his drying lips, hesitated a little bit longer, but soon explained as best as he could. “I'm out here near the RFK Stadium and...not sure if there are any drones in the sky right now to verify what I just witnessed with my own eyes, but I saw something you probably wouldn't believe. Quite frankly, I still can't believe what I just saw and wonder if the heat is getting to me, but, uhm...”

He grimaced as he cautiously scanned his surroundings. Just because there was no one around, didn't mean there won't be any showing up while he spoke. He was always on guard, almost to the point of paranoia and he probably was at that point already if he was being honest with himself.

“I saw a ship,” he simply said.

“A ship?”

“An alien space ship...” Eriksson winced a little. It sounded crazier saying it out loud than in his head. He winced some more as there was a long silence on Ortega's end of their comms. Well, shit...he probably thinks I've lost my mind out here.

“Pardon?” Was all the Coordinator could muster.

“Yeah,” he winced again. “An alien space ship. I know...it sounds crazy, but it wasn't a drone the Black Tusk operates or anything I've seen them use so far here.” He chuckled nervously.

“Did it attack you or anything?”

“No,” he said, “I'm pretty sure I wasn't spotted by whoever or whatever is flying it. The ship landed within the stadium. I'm not too far from it.” He was implying on going on a recon mission to have eyes and ears on the ground so they could plan accordingly.

“Hmm...” Ortega thought about it for a minute. “Alright, Agent. If you truly want to see what the hell is going on. Be careful and report back with your findings as soon as you can.”

“Copy,” he replied. “Going dark.”

Eriksson headed over, going into buildings and using alleyways along the way as cover, while activating his Pulse radar every now and again as he made his way to the stadium.

[Faclan]

RFK Stadium, Kig-Yar Enclave, 4 PM
The goings on of the nest

Outside the stadium

Near some of the exits of the stadium a certain sneaky little shit would find three True Son bodies. They looked badly burned even in the rain and peaking down would reveal deep purple walls now blocking the inside with a tiny window up near the top. But hard to see if anything was watching.

Tal, on the roof of the stadium.

Hidden under the various heating and cooling pipes on the roof, at least from the sky, Tal and the other snipers were on lookout. The unrest was impossible to miss as their Kig-Yar ear holes picked up distant and not so distant rifle and explosions from the city itself. But none of it was rifle fire they were used too. And the skys were almost entirely clear. No Pelicans or Covenant craft at all. Tal starting to get the same feeling Kael had had. That something was terribly wrong. Of the Seven Kigs on the roof; himself, two snipers, and their two security and spotters - one sniper team was asleep. Knowing that it would be a long watch. The others positiona t various points watching and reporting back about anything they spotted. But Tal was more interested now in the city itself. None of it looked like the pre fabricated Human structures he was used too. And all the destroyed and overturned vehicles were new to him as well. Unfortunately for the roof Kigs there was no big billboards showing that it was time to celebrate 2019 but then again on Tal could read some English and he knew words not numbers.

But he jerked up from his architecture examining from a blip from his helmet. "In the sky, south west." Tal and the other sniper turning around to look up and see this supposed item in the sky finally.

Unfortunately letting a much smaller buzzing something zip right past them into the stadium itself.

It looked like a tiiiny Pelican. Snub nosed with tiny wings. And it was doing a slow circle several hundred feet off the ground. The Kigs raising up scopes to get a better look before Tal spoke up. "Its an observer. Stay hidden. It shouldn't be able to see us and The Mistress wants no exposure unless absolutely necessary." Unfortunately for them both the real drone and the tiny drone that was now watching them could easily see them on thermals. And the people on the other ends were likely freaking out that why yes, there were aliens on the roof of the Soccer stadium. Even through the light rain that was tinking and tapping against the snipers cover pipes.

--------------

Kael, ground level, near the Lich.

Soldiers always needed something to amuse themselves, especially when there was uncertainty that could easily lead to fear. The Lich had been unloaded and barricades set up and manned so there was now only waiting to do. And waiting easily led to worry and uncertainty. So half of the fake grass had been given over to the Entourage and their attachments to amuse themselves. And the checkerboard balls had been found and so were being used to keep the troops engaged. Those who were sneakily watching the light drizzle on the pitch however would see the Aliens not using the Soccer balls properly. Likely due to the serious looking talons on their feet and their Alien heritage. So instead of kicking the Aliens were throwing it back and fourth to each. In an odd manner. There seemed to be four 'teams' as it were. One with grey Aliens with feathers, one with smaller long beaked ones, one with stubby beaks, and one mixed. And the groups were busy trying to keep the balls in the air as long as they could by punting it with their beaks. A different Kig each time before the Green armored feathered one in the middle cheeped out something and the balls where tossed to the next group. It kept going until one of the teams failed to catch the catch or dropped it during the keep up time. At which point they sat down and the other teams moved closer. The ones with the fatter shorter heads seemed to be doing the best at this. The chittering and cheeping was a steady drone from all the activity.

Those watching would also see that a section of the stands had simple covers over them now and about thirty of the Aliens were currently asleep under it. Likely for some kind of night watch. Oddly they didn't seem to be using the space ship itself. But two vehicles that used to be under it were now sat beside it. Right next to a taller looking golden armored Alien that was pacing back and fourth. Until it stopped when two writhing nets were brought out by one of the green armored ones and two other feathered ones with weird rifles over their backs with what seemed to be net bags on it. They were tossed next to some AKM rifles that the Gold was walking around before the Gold started to speak. And enhancing or getting closer would reveal it speaking...English?!

"Right Humans, you weird Tan Flat Faces. Time to start explaining some things, and if you answer quickly and well you will not be eaten."

The True Sons looked absolutely petrified of the Alien, as most people would be I suspect, as they tried to recoil from it as it leaned forward. But the nets were holding the securely as they both finally nodded. The Gold picking up one of the AKM rifles and pointing it at them, thankfully the magazine was removed.

"What kind of Mae Five rifle is this? Are you some kind of Local Human militia protecting Reach? Where is your main force?" The questions were not screamed or aggressive. The Alien seemed more curious.

[Llau]

Kiefer Eriksson
Strategic Homeland Division
Callsign: Tenebris || Tactical Agent
Abandoned building across from RFK Stadium – 410 PM || Weather – Light Rain
Doing What He Does Best...

Infiltration was one of his best skill-sets, after his sharpshooter skill (and other skills he's learned over the years since joining the military and then the CIA after completing several tours while he was in the Army). He once worked with the CIA in their Special Activities Division after spending some time in the US Army Special Forces. He didn't hesitate when the Strategic Homeland Division asked him to join after they explained to him what they were all about and what he would need to do if society fell due to something like the Dollar Flu. He wanted to help, but most of all, he was growing tired of doing black operations and some of the CIA's dirty work. Becoming a SHD agent was his way of going on a path of redemption, and since being activated, he believed he was doing the right thing for once. Seeing the faces of tired, distraught civilians, who survived the Dollar Flu and these last six months, light up with relief when he was able to help them in some way or another, and thanking him, was an unforgettable experience.

Leaning against the corner of a window frame on the top floor of the building, he peered across the street at the stadium, where he arrived not too long ago. He could see everything around him, except for down into the stadium itself where the spaceship landed. The area seemed a little too quiet to his liking though and as he stood there, he wondered what was going to happen next and who or what was in the ship. He was scanning the area through a day and night vision monocular he kept in his backpack. He slowly looked toward one of the many exits out of the stadium and instantly noticed the familiar attire of several True Sons. Upon studying their dead bodies, he noticed they were burned by some unknown object. No bullet holes? Could be...laser weapons, or...? He thought, and wouldn't be able to confirm it until he was close enough for iSAC to do a complete scan to corroborate with his theory.

Looking away from the bodies and toward the entry way, he noticed it was being blocked by deep purple walls that weren't there before. There was a small window on the upper part of it, but he wasn't able to see anything or if anyone was on the other side of it. Sighing quietly to himself, he returned the monocular back in its place in one of the pockets of his backpack, and then grabbed for his Drone he used. He changed it's variant from the Fixer to the Tactician variant in order to scout and mark hostile targets, which would then feed the information to the HUD of his contact lenses he wore. Once he was ready, the drone hovered in the air and he sent it up and over the stadium to search for those who he wanted to find out. Part of him wasn't so sure if he wanted to know if they were aliens or humans in a high-tech spacecraft. It didn't take him long to have his questions answered. Once the bodies were highlighted in the thermals of his drone, he stared in disbelief at first, but his inner-child self was amazed as well as horrified at the same time at the discovery.

Eriksson let out a shuddered breath through parted lips after realizing he'd been holding his breath since activating his drone to take a look in the stadium. He took a moment to stare at the bird-looking aliens as they did various activities in the field. What were they playing? He wondered as he had the drone scan one of the aliens as it stood near two True Sons captives. Wait...is it speaking English? What? He bit at his lower lip for several moments before chuckling in disbelief as a whirlwind of questions soon popped into his head about what he was witnessing. He wanted to contact Ortega again, but thought better of it for now as he needed to collect more information to determine if these aliens were a threat to them or not. They were certainly armed and armored, but they weren't exactly attacking anyone, other than True Sons, and he didn't give a shit if they were killing those traitorous assholes. He had the drone return to him so he could wait until nightfall to sneak inside for a closer look.

9PM

Once it was night time, he left his recon perch inside the building to find a way across the street to get inside the stadium...somehow. He figured those dark purple walls were blocking other entrances too. He quietly moved away from the window, and then headed down the long staircase to head down to the ground floor, where he paused by the doorway to peek outside, and scanned his surroundings once more. He quickly and as quietly as he could made his way across the street to get to the stadium and started to search for a way inside that the aliens didn't block.

“iSAC, could you find a way inside that isn't blocked by those walls they put up?”

<<”SEARCHING...”>> iSAC responded into his earpiece, <<”THERE IS A SEWER ENTRYWAY WHICH WILL LEAD YOU INSIDE THE STADIUM'S BASEMENT.”>>

“Good...” Eriksson whispered, making his way over to where the AI marked it on his HUD.

He crouched as he glanced down into the tunnel before climbing down the ladder halfway before jumping the last few feet down into the tunnel with a moderate splash of stagnate water that went just below his knees. He grimaced at the smell, putting on his filtration mask, and headed toward the direction he needed to go to get into the basement of the stadium. He moved with caution, unsure what he'd run into down there. Will it be the usual enemies he's been fighting since arriving in DC, or the aliens?

[Faclan]

RFK Stadium, Kig-Yar Enclave, 8:30 PM
Worrying info and chainsaws

Stadium Grounds

The two Tan Humans, who after simple question time had revealed themselves to be True Sons, were now returned to their nets after being given a small amount of food and water. Currently set in one of the teams dressing rooms. The six AKM rifles also being set with the Raid Teams current weapons with their magazines beside them in case it was needed. It had been a good talking time. But Kael was glad she had sent the Arrestors away and only had herself and Pela had heard the other answers they were given.

Currently her personal file were in the Lich, in radio contact with Tal as they discussed the situation they found themselves in. Vesa brought in once the game time was finished and sentries set. The scouting teams being assembled by her Murmillos as the file discussed the findings. It wasn't good.

"These True Sons are basically Inside Humans," Kael muttered as her Commandos mulled it all over too. "One of the at least five groups currently fighting for control over this city. A city that has fallen into complete disrepair and civil war." She scoffed. "And they claim we are the uncivilized ones." She turned around and started to walk the other way across the bridge. "But thats not the important information, the state of this planet really doesn't mean as much too us as what else we know. We can fix and modify the leaders of this city and perhaps planet. But there are things we now know that we cannot change." Another turn as she nodded at Pela.

"This planet is not Reach. It is in fact the Human Homeworld of Earth. Which would have gotten us all anything we would have wanted from our great and mighty leaders." A pause for chuckles, there were none, it was a very glum bridge. Pela quickly continued. "It seems we are not only far off course but also time...somehow. It is the Human Calendar year of 2017." She wrung her hands together. Still not believing it herself. "And we left Beligerant Sermon in the Human year of 2552...We are nearly five hundred and fifty years back in their time...Somehow."

Kael was impressed as she continued to pace. Pela was normally the quiet one. But this crisis had shaken all of them to their core for what it potentially meant. Vesa currently side hugging her sister to try and keep her fear under control. Kael, as she had been more recently with finding Roh and smoothing things over with her Mama, thought to the future. They had enough stock in the soldiers here to raise children if need be. They could carve out a location for themselves on the Human home world. Make themselves a force to be left alone. This was not going to be the end of them. They still had a Lich if they were required to leave as well. The language seemed to be the same she mostly knew as well which was a big plus. But Tal thankfully brought her back to the present.

"Mistress, there has been nothing on the radio as well. I know we shouldn't believe the Sisterhood Criminal Humans. But an entire half cycle with no messages and seeing no other Covenant or Kig-Yar craft I will have to believe them."

Kael nodding to herself as she spoke up again. "For the moment we have to. But we will find out more. Despite there being a civil war here over this tiny spec of Human squatting there has to be some kind of local leader either still trying to fight to take back their home or hiding somewhere. We will find that. Once we have contact with them we will see where negotiations lead us." She managed a small smile as she picked up her helmet again. "At least I have experience with alliances and the like, eh Gels?" Her Commandos nodded and started to get up too as Vesa herself finally spoke up as well.

"Champion...will you tell the troops?"

"No, not tonight. In the morning they will know. I want this area secured and they need to be alert and not panicking to do that. There will likely be an underground to this facility we are currently occupying. Vesa and Pela you two will lead teams to secure and block off that. I will lead the exterior teams. Tal you are in Command of our home base. Ensure no Humans enter without first identifying them. And even them netted would be preferred. If they are in different uniforms than the Tan Flat Faces keep them separate."

"Understood."

"Understood."

"Yes Mistress."

Securing her helmet Kael held it to steady her own mind before she left the bridge and moved through the Lich. It was time to work. Should the other groups confirm the findings they had from these True Sons then they would need to scrub the Covenant symbols from their equipment in time. No time like out of time to make themselves a new she supposed.

--------------

9PM

Under Stadium Sewer system

Kael had made it very clear to all of the troops; caution above all was the most important thing. The Covenant would not be able to resupply them for some time (not a full on lie, just a deflection). So they had to made the troops and supplies they had last as long as they possibly could. No heroics, no charging after unknown targets, stay calm and just make a perimeter the flat faces cant breach.

Easier said than done when the two Commandos opened a door and found an entire room of black clothed Humans seemingly waiting for them. And two of them were jogging forward yanking on the start cord of auto saws.

Certain sneaky shits would have heard attempted quiet movement through the water of several sets of feet before panicked squawks and cheeps and then the gunfire started. The sound leading him to a large room where a fire, and chainsaw, fight was currently underway. There seemed to be two squads of Underground against the aliens that seemed outnumbered. But god could those aliens jump and run. Leaping up and over the railings to an upper level avoiding the stairs entirely as some from the top fired down at the Undergrounds. Their armor was an array of colors from Greyish blue, a few Reds, two Oranges, and two Green. Those two in green seemed to be the ones giving the most orders as the Aliens tried to hold the stairway. But the Chainsaw tanks seemed to be able to absorb the balls of...something just fine as they jogged up the stairs. The Greens moving to meet them as they both flicked their arms and blue barriers former over their forearms. Together they both reached up with arms crossed and managed to stop the chainsaw in its tracks and it squeeled against the barriers before a red and orange ran into the side of the tank full speed and shoved it as hard as they could. The chain monster toppling sideways and yanking the chain sideways. A screech of pain and purple blood spraying upward as the Tank fell. All its fire absorbing weight working against it and pulling it hard down against the old railing that snapped and let it plummet twenty feet down. The chainsaw not doing a good job softening the landing as the aliens kept firing.

Sneaky would see that the other tank was already dead down there with a leg blown off and the area speckled in blue and black scorches but with both their tanks down a lot of them wounded the Underground seemed to decided to regroup and fell back. Oddly the Aliens didn't go down to...eat the wounded or something as they held back and carefully pulled the Green back away from the edge. Before some of them headed down the stairs with weapons raised to pick up their own and bring them back up. Greens forearm was deeply bit into by the teeth of the chainsaw as they tried to pull out medical supplies. but besides some thick gloopy blue paste they didn't seem to have much as the other colors kept watch.