The Halo RPG: RPG Thread (Story Arc 1)

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ENTERING PRIMARY OPERATION ZONE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========


"Hello, to all UNSC forces, this is ODST Corporal Conner Herons, if you can here me, my lifeboat landed, and got strafed. Everyone else is dead, and I'm at this sector." He sent out a pin pointed location on the map to all UNSC HUD's, and continued.

"I took out a ghost, and now banshees are closing in. I need help, ASAP!"[/b]

Allison looked over the white landscape beneath the Pelican Gunship, then back over her shoulder to Craig then nodded lightly. Her voice filtered through the comm channel as the blue navigation marker popped up along her helmets display.

"Corporal Heron, this is 'Super-Six-One'. I have your position and am in-bound. ETA thirty seconds."

As the Pelican came in low over the rolling white hills, the purple visage of Banshee's were encapsulated in red. "Contacts, 12 o'clock." Allison stated as she leveled the nose of the gunship out.

"Yeah, copy that...Going hot." Craig replied. After a moment the chin mounted 70MM machine gun rumbled. And the high explosive rounds traced through the air. The few banshees were caught off guard in the hail. The exploding shells made the small crafts jerk violently off course before enveloping in blue flame and falling to the earth.

"Targets eliminated. Scope is showing clear skies." Craig noted.

Allison brought the gunship over the top of Corporal Heron and awaited for him to get on. The crew chief, Kelly would be on the rear mounted gun to greet and assess the lone corporal. Just as she had with the few other stragglers they had picked up, mostly marine regulars.

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, CARGO HOLD

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson's eyes adjusted. He noted a red elite standing behind the bomb. Three more split-chinned bastards were standing with their eyes covered by their arms. Carson opted not to shoot at the ones near the bomb. He turned his attention to the straggling grunts and jackals spread out in a rough horseshoe around the bomb. The jackals were stumbling back with their shields in front of them, and the grunts were simply running around in circles with their hands in the air. Carson began burst firing on the grunts. Sure they weren't the biggest threats, but after the few precious seconds of surprise. There would be that many less enemy weapons pointed in his direction.

Carson was on complete auto-pilot as he fanned left against the wall, moving from grunt target to grunt target. He didn't have to look, but knew that Samson was behind him as well as Renault....Renters and Dennison would have went to the right. After a moment the confusion in the ranks ended. The red clad elite howled a war cry and the jackals seemed to refocus. They formed a phalanx of shields and began advancing the three minor elites behind the them firing wildly with dual weapons. Carson ducked behind the first stack of crates. He could hear the metal burning and crackling. His instinct took over and without looking he dropped the magazine and had placed a fresh one in and slammed the receiver home. There was a lull for a moment before the squad automatic weapon, Renters was carrying began a dizzying flurry of cracks. After a sufficient moment Carson peaked around the corner leveling his rifle. He was met by a tracer pinging off the crate to the right of his head. The shields were knocking the rounds all around the inside of the hold. Carson reflexively retreated behind the crate. He removed one of the frag grenades from his vest. Samson grabbed his shoulder with his left hand and shook his head.

"Not near the bomb!"

"Shut up!" Carson replied quickly. Without priming the grenade Carson tossed it towards the six jackal formation. It rolled between the two edges of the shields behind the formation. The two lead jackals turned around and got behind their shields. Two of the minors leaped off to the left and right respectively. Renters fired on the minor on the right. The heavy slugs from his weapon ensured it did not rise. Carson and Samson focused on left elite, it stood up in the hail of fire, returned wild shots then began rushing towards them. It was in vain though as the combined fire dropped its shield then itself. Dennison and Renault focused their attention on the jackals. Their fire created an "X" in the air, as they hit the now unprotected flanks. The creatures howled, screeched, and then died. The two with their backs to the team had now spun around, and placing their shields together they began to move back towards the bomb. Carson looked to his ammo counter. He dropped the less than half full magazine and replaced a fresh one, placing the used one back into its pouch. The team watched closely. The red elite, standing behind the bomb growled lowly. The two jackals would fire off a few rounds and squawk, whenever the team tried to move. Carson stood up and rested his weapon on the top of the crate. The jackal covering the left side turned its head and screeched loudly. Carson clicked his mic one time, and a pistol shot penetrated the jackals right eye, then blew purple gore out of the left rear side of its head. It crumpled into a heap. The one on the right fired erratically against the fire team which hunkered down behind their precious boxes.

The remaining jackal squawked loudly and primed a grenade tossing it back behind Renters and Dennison's crates. Of course, the two dived out of their cover. Carson popped up to suppress the creature, but was horrified when the plasma weapon was aimed at him, not away from him. The plasma released and Carson closed his eyes and tried to move his head to the left. The scorching plasma splashed against the top of the crate in front of him. Small globs splashing over his armor. The micro burns seared the armor plating but didn't penetrate. When Carson opened his eyes on the ground. He saw tracers and the last jackal drop. Carson scrambled frantically back behind the box, before looking over at Samson who was standing, on the far side Dennison and Renters were doing the same. Renault however was laying prone. With just enough of his body sticking out to aim his sniper rifle. Carson stood up and looked at the last remaining elite. It growled lowly before it touched the top of the bomb. It howled loudly and stepped in front of the bomb. It motioned for fire team three to 'bring it'. Samson let his weapon drop in his sling and started walking towards the elite. Carson, started flanking further to the left, while Renters and Dennison did the same on the right. The elite, dropped its weapon and removed a small handle, then it exploded into the deadly blade that some of these split-chinned bastards carried.

Then, in that moment a crack echoed likely through most of the lower levels of the ship. The elite stood for a moment, before it simply tilted backwards and hit the deck. The sword hit the ground, melting part of the floor before bursting out of existence. Renault's sniper round had entered the elites mouth and blew out the back of its neck. Clean kill. Sure it was a dirty trick, that Samson had played...But it was also irrelevant. The deed was done, the objective taken. The team converged on the bomb, Carson took a moment to retrieve the undetonated grenade. Renault looked it over...."That fucker did something to it." He said.

Samson got on the horn. "Units in the area, be advised. The bomb is secured....Fire team three has the cargo hold and the bomb! We are standing by for someone to come and defuse the bastard! I don't think we have much time, this thing is flashing red patterns!"

The team set up tight defenses in all directions around the bomb. There was still chatter from other units about enemies in the area, you couldn't be too safe, especially with the invisible squid-heads. Now, hopefully there was someone close who knew how to disarm the damn thing.

[rico]

"Units in the area, be advised. The bomb is secured....Fire team three has the cargo hold and the bomb! We are standing by for someone to come and defuse the bastard! I don't think we have much time, this thing is flashing red patterns!" Someone shouts through the com system.

I immediately send a reply. "This is Lieutenant Rodriguez, were on our way ASAP. Stand by. Out."

"C'mon guys lets move it!" I shout out over my shoulder as i run down the corridor. I key my mic into Hallams frequency.

"Sergeant Hallam, Converge on the cargo bay immediately, we don't have alot of time before we all blow up to shit along with the rest of the ship."

"Roger that, sir. On my way."

Charging down several corridors and a flight of stairs as fast as our legs would allow, we arrive barging through the door at breakneck speed.

"Quickly its going critical!" One of the men shouts out.

"Thurlow, get to work now!" I bark out.

Quickly getting to work the bomb starts to beep and a whine ensures. Its about to blow.

"Almost there. . ."

"Thurlow?"

"Almost there. . ."

"Thurlow?!" I shout out.

"Got it!"

Just as the whine is about to reach its apex it slowly quietens down until there was nothing but silence.

"How much time was left?" I ask shakily.

"Really, sir. You don't wanna know."

I sigh with relief and remove my helmet. "Good work Private. See if you can reset the timer. This might come in handy later on."

"Yes, sir." Private Thurlow replies and quickly gets to work.

I turn and walk over to the group of soldiers that secured the bomb. One who i assume to be the leader comes to attention and snaps off a crisp salute.

"At ease soldier. Well done."

"Thank you, sir."

"See if you can get on the horn to Sergeant Hallam and alert him of our lucky break."

"Yes, sir." he replies saluting.

Damn that was too close i think to myself.

[elando]

"Uni...Area, be adv...Bomb is secured...Go hold and the bo...ome and defuse the bas...Flashing red patterns!" Came the voice over the radio. "Fucking Covenant must be jamming our signal. Private Leat, you have some demolitions training don't you?" I said. "Yeah, just a little. By the sounds of it though, we have about 5 minuites to get to it." He replied. "Well lets get a fucking move on then." I said. With that, we headed down the corridor, further into the ship.

"Sir! Theres no way down for ages." Said Corporal Styles. "Then we'll just have to make a way. What about this?" I said, pointing to a cargo chute. "I don't see why not..." Replied Styles. I walked over and keyed the acess point. A small whirring noise sounded, then stopped and was followed by a low beep. "For gods sake the fucking thing's jammed." I said. "Leat, get a charge on the hatch."

"Alright, stand back." Said Leat, unhooking a breaching charge from his belt and placing it on the hatch to the chute. "Fire in the hole!" He said, keying the detonator and causing the charge to make a little "Bang" sound as the hatch imploded in on the chute. "The lift is stuck at the bottom but we should be able to get down using the cables." I said. I unclipped the rapel hook from my belt and inched my way towards the edge of the hatch. Stretching out my arm, I latched the hook onto the cable and secured it, attatching one end to the cable and the other to my armour.

"Geronimo." I said, looking at Leat and Styles and jumping down the Cargo Chute, letting the rapel hook take my weight and cause me to fly down the hatch at a steady speed. As I hit the bottom of the chute I detatched the hook quickly and waited for the other two to follow. The hatch at the bottom was luckily open and I peered out onto the cargo hold. Signs of a recent battle were apparent all around as creates were left half melted by plasma fire or with exposed contents strewn on the floor.

"Leat, rush for the bomb. We've got your back." I said and Private Leat rushed off towards the other end of the cargo bay, towards the waypoint. "This is Sergeant Hallam. You have friendlies moving up the cargohold to your position, hold your fire. Private Leat has demolitions training, lets just hope he knows enough to defuse the bomb." I said over the radio.

[caster]

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, CARGO HOLD

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson had stood at ease when the other squad entered, then the bomb stopped making that ear-splitting whine. Moments later Carson turned with his weapon in low-ready when he heard a thud on the cargo lift...Then they identified themselves. As Sergeant Hallam rounded the corner along with his squad, Carson pointed towards the bomb with his hand then made a "ok" gesture for "clear" then pointed towards the Lieutenant.

Sergeant Samson stood by as well as the rest of fire team three....Samson looked towards the Lieutenant and finally asked. "What's the next move, Lieutenant?"

Carson turned to face the group. What other tasks would they have....Probably regrouping....This couldn't be everyone that survived....


========
ZUKA'ZANZAMEE

NINTH AGE OF RECLAMATION

SACRED RING OF THE FORERUNNERS

EASTERN FORTRESS
========

Zuka'Zanzamee stepped off of the phantom along with his squad...He waved them on dismissively. Zuka wanted to speak to the Field Master under Fleet Master Doro'Gatrumee. However this audience would have social consequences.

Zuka finally entered the command area and the field master a gruff but old Sangheili in gold armor turned. "Ultra...What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"The meaning is simple....While we stand by, waiting for that bomb to go off...Who knows what the humans beyond the lake are up to. We should be pushing against them in a multi-lanced assault....Not simply standing by stagnant."

The field master turned to face Zuka. "When you Ultra, have command of the field.....You may make those decisions....Until then....They are up to me." The elder field master clicked his mandibles twice...Zuka wasn't stupid enough to accept that kind of challenge.

Suddenly the floating form of the Prophet of Ideation came into existence, the hologram looked from the field master to the Zuka then back again. Zuka, in the back of his mind praised the gods for the timing. "I understand, Field Master....However...When you are ready to take this heresy seriously...I will be ready to unleash the flame....and cleanse the filth."

Zuka turned to walk away, not before giving the briefest of looks towards the prophet. Zuka exited the tent and continued to his quarters. Zuka was well aware of this prophets deeds....If Zuka played his cards right, he could be promoted very quickly in one simple mission....For a moment he let his ambition wander...Perhaps the Heirarchs themselves would know his name. The one who cleansed the human filth from the Sacred Rings. Zuka let the thoughts vanish, and he simply thought how stupid it was that they wouldn't be launching everything. Why allow your opponent to regain balance....Push them, and while they stumble, push them again....And when they are down....That is when you kill them.

[conner553]

Conner heard the pelican pilot on his headset, and saw the aircraft tear down the banshee duo. Breathing a sight of relief, he jumped on board the pelican, paused, jumped off, and smashed the controls of the ghost. No need for the covenant to find it and reuse it. Conner leapt back aboard the waiting pelican and sat down. calling to the pilot, he said.

"Thanks for the dust off, I was in a spot of trouble." He paused, took a breath, and related his story.

"I am Corporal Conner Herons of the ODST division based on the ship Crimson Morning. When me and my squad ditched, we got pursued down to the planet by a seraph. We landed, and got strafed. Everyone was killed except for me. I faked it, and started to head in the general direction of where I saw the Morning go down, and picked off an elite on recon riding a ghost. Then, I called in on my radio which had been damaged, but I managed to fix it somewhat, and then you picked me up. Thanks again."

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

PRIMARY OPERATION ZONE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Kelly keyed the on board comm once and Allison throttled up. The pelican rose into the air and came about the landing area. Kelley looked to Corporal Heron as he began speaking towards the cockpits closed door. "They can't here you up there you know?" Kelly said as she listened to the Corporal's tale.

"I'm sorry to hear about your squad, Conner." Kelley turned around and reached into the canopy area, into a dark green case. She removed a fresh hand-held radio and handed it to Conner. "I know it's not too much of a consolation, but here you go. At least others made it out. We were lucky to bail out of the Morning when we did too."

The few other marines on board seemed to be watching the ODST, it didn't seem like anyone on board had a good idea of what was happening.

Allison looked off to her two o'clock low. In the snow was the Crimson Morning, stretching out of the white sheets like an ugly stain. Suddenly her heads up display linked with the STARS satellite, which boosted communication range a bit.

"Any friendly forces aboard the Crimson Morning, this is pelican gunship 'super-six-one' we are over the crash site and have visual. Please advise, over."

The voice of a British man came over. "Super-six-one, bloody good to hear from you. We have marshaled forces in the area and have established this area as rally point alpha. The interior area is secured. What's your status, over."

"Roger that, UNSC ground. We have some stragglers on board. However, STARS is showing multiple wraith tanks to your west, along with some infantry still around the crash site. Also, be advised, a temporary command post has been established across the lake, where the command shuttle landed. Our squadron is tasked with securing a suitable area to establish base camp and then to help move personnel and material to that new location."

"Roger, super-six-one. Stand-by." The comm crackled.

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, CARGO HOLD

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson listened to the static filled conversation between the pilot and one of SSgt. Hallam's guys. After it was done, Fire team 3 looked at each other then to Samson. Samson looked between them then to Lieutenant Rico. "Sir, we arrived in the ship via some extensive ice cavern's around and beneath the Mornings crash-site. With most of our equipment here, I think it would be advisable to establish a base here. Especially since we have the area locked down."

Carson thought about it for a moment. There were scans done from orbit before the crash that noted a significant number of caves and systems here. On the up side, they would be covered from site and enemy air patrols, and they wouldn't have to move a lot of the equipment, at least not very far and if the Covenant attacked, they could have tight defenses set up. It did make sense in the short term....But, Carson looked towards the long term. There was no hiding from the Covenant. This was it, they knew the humans had to be in the area. The long term strategy needed to focus on stealthily setting up a second base that would be the main base. How long would it be before the Covenant just glassed the Morning and everything around it?

Carson piped up. "I think that's a good idea, Sirs. At least for now. We can get a good handle on the area, not to mention we can start an inventory of gear we have. The Covenant would have a helluva time trying to press us out of these caves. Although, I think, in the long run it's stupid. They know we are here. We should also be looking towards a second base, that we could move to stealthily, perhaps from these caverns. That would be the actual base. At least we could be hidden then. But we can worry about that now. We should start moving everyone here."

Everyone in fire team three looked to the Lieutenant to make the call. He was the ranking officer here.

[brandon321]

"Ugh"
Brandon was sweating from the crash and then quickly took a check of his surrondings and wished he hadn't. There was at least a two feet hole burned in the side of the life pod and also the bitter cold blasting through the hole wasn't helping at all. There were bodies everywhere, mostly burned from the explosion, he had to push one off just to get up. As he was searching for a weapon and anything else that may be useable, he heard on the radio.
"Uni...Area, be adv...Bomb is secured...Go hold and the bo...ome and defuse the bas...Flashing red patterns!"
"Ah shit!" He yelled.
He finally found a useable Battle Rifle with about 5 clips around it, two frag grenades and also grabbed the radio. He snatched the items and quickly headed towards the ship, he also stayed low as to not draw any attention to him by snipers or any other hostiles.(He is near Life Pod B.)

[maxii1]

Rally Point Alpha:
Jackson greeted the Rifleman with a "Where's that Sovierner you promised?"
Reilly Laughed, "Davidson got there first"
"Ah, Always the way with that guy!" Pvt. Jackson retorted.
The Engineer nodded a brief hello and sat down, Taking a deep breath filling his lungs with cold air blowing into and around the Crimson Morning.
"Good Intel on that Bomb, Reilly well done" came a short com burst from the Lieutenant.
Reilly thanked him and added that it was mainly due to the Engineer Frank Umber for the tip off.
"What do you want to do with the wounded?" Reilly asked.
Jackson added to the list "and the weapons, supplys, vehicles and other junk left in the ship"
A laugh insured from all around.

[rico]

"I think that's a good idea, Sirs. At least for now. We can get a good handle on the area, not to mention we can start an inventory of gear we have. The Covenant would have a helluva time trying to press us out of these caves. Although, I think, in the long run it's stupid. They know we are here. We should also be looking towards a second base, that we could move to stealthily, perhaps from these caverns. That would be the actual base. At least we could be hidden then. But we can worry about that now. We should start moving everyone here."

I ponder the ideas in my head for a few minutes before replying. "Alright, start gathering together every piece of usable equipment. Weapons, food, clothing, equipment, vehicles. Everything thats of use to us. Whilst use are doing that I'll be heading towards the bridge."

"Why, sir?" Sergeant Pink asked.

"The Covenant are jamming our shortwave radio communications right? And there is bound to be a whole load more survivors than just us on this ring. I'll use the ships coms system and send out a message that will cover the ring. I doubt the Covenant's jamming equipment will be able to handle something as big as the ship. Lets get too it Marines."

"Yes, sir." They chorused.

"Hallam your with me."

I place my helmet back onto my head and quickly move off to the nearest door. The trip up to the bridge was uneventful. Strolling on through the Bridge blast doors i quickly locate and start flicking on some switches.

"Do you know what your doing, sir?" Hallam asks.

"No," I answer honestly "But I'll get there eventually."

Flicking a few more switches the Bridge speakers suddenly come to life with the sound of chatter.

"Where is that coming from?" Hallam asks looking over my shoulder at the screen.

"Somewhere in a North westerly direction i believe." I say leaning in towards the microphone pressing the a button labeled "Talk".

"This is Lieutenant Rodriguez on board the Crimson Morning to any and all UNSC Forces Ringside. Please respond, over."

[wtiger]

Mark lit another cigarette as they waited at the entrance of the medical bay. He would have to lose the urge to smoke these soon, he only had about 5 left in the pack. Stuffing it back into his breast pocket his radio began fizzing and breaking up the voices that were clear just a moment ago.

From the disjointed voices that he had been hearing, they had defused the bomb and it was secure. His mind came up with strategies to defend the ship in its precarious position as it was in now. It wouldnt be prudent to leave it where it was, they would have to move it to a more secure location. Or, he thought pulling another drag at his cigarette, they could drop it on the covenant bastards that had brought it here.

A beautiful scene unfolded into his mind, a pelican flying high above the fortress that he had seen. The marines reactivating the bomb and pushing it out of the back, spinning as it flew downwards into the midst of the encampment. Then,
BOOM!!!

He chuckled at himself, if it was only that simple. Johnathan was rummaging around in one of the boxes he had found in a small supply alcove.

"There-" he held up a cigarette pack, then threw it to Mark "- payback in full."

Mark caught it and stuffed it into his other pocket, grinning.

"Good, all debts are paid in full, now we have to get our men back from the other side of this wintery fairyland for medical treatment."

He got up and looked around, slapping at the bits of snow still affixed to his uniform and armor, trying to remember the Ships shematics,
"Now where is the bridge, thats most likely where the higher ups would go?"

[caster]

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, CARGO HOLD

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Samson nodded as the Lieutenant made the call then headed towards the bridge.

Carson looked around the cargo hold for a moment. He checked his weapon. The magazine wasn't completely empty, but he replaced a fresh one anyway. Stowing the nearly half spent magazine into the pouch on his chest.

Samson turned to the squad. "Alright. Renault, try to find a working computer terminal and see what supplies were aboard the Morning. Then, broadcast that information to the rest of the forces here. We should get on it, quick."

"Yes, sir." Renault said, moving the long sniper rifle to his back on the three point sling.

Carson followed Renault to get the read out of supplies on the ship.

========
ZUKA'ZANZAMEE

NINTH AGE OF RECLAMATION

SACRED RING OF THE FORERUNNERS

EASTERN FORTRESS
========


Zuka had been in his tent looking over field reports and monitoring the battle net when Infiltrator Zanzuri'Dolenmee entered his quarters. Zuka turned and stood from his seat. He looked over the black clad infiltrator.

"Well?" Zuka asked.

"The field master sent Tramis'Talamee and his lance to the side opposite the lake. However, there were no plans for a coordinated assault." Zanzuri replied, before turning his back and exiting.

The infiltrator was in fact a member of Voden Keep and while Zuka had never met him before. He used their bloodline to receive the information he had. Zuka looked over the reports coming in from the field. He had not been chosen to assault the humans, that was at least more understandable than the Field Master's plan of simply laying an ambush on the other side of the lake.

Zuka pondered for a moment, why the Prophet of Ideation would accept the Field Master's failure in holding or destroying the human ship, he also wondered who would bare the blame of failure. Likely the leading officer in charge of the assault, if he wasn't dead already.

So, the structure opposite the lake was secured; but the human ship is intact. The humans would likely stay close to the ship, they couldn't last long without the supplies that were surely on board. But where would they go from there?

Zuka looked at a topographical map. He saw no suitable place near-by the humans could retreat to. So then, they must be staying in the ship itself. Even rats wouldn't trap themselves in a corner...There had to be something more...But what?

The battle net was still chattering from the Wraiths bombarding the ships crash site; the tanks hadn't been destroyed yet. It seemed like the bombardment wasn't really doing anything. Without infantry to support the barrage, it wasn't likely a large amount of kills could be achieved much less the total destruction of the ship in a timely manner. Furthermore, without air support the wraiths would be open to attack.

Two options come from this: the field master was using the wraiths to simply keep the humans heads down....Or he was attempting to goad them out into the open to kill them. The latter was probably not likely, at least not human infantry. It would be likely the humans would send mechanized infantry, or air power to level the Wraiths.

Zuka switched to the local air channel. Banshee patrols near the Wraiths had been routed and were waiting in stand-by. That was the plan then, try to lure them into attacking the tanks then unleashing air power?

Zuka clicked his mandibles. Those banshees could be assisting other air units in finding and destroying human life boats, or mapping out the areas beyond the lake.

Perhaps there was more a strategy at work, Zuka simply didn't have enough knowledge of the total circumstances to know. Damn that field master.

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

PRIMARY OPERATION ZONE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison was still orbiting the crash site. The link of from STARS was still showing the formation of Wraith tanks barraging the general area around the crash site. Could even see a couple of snipers, triangulated in red. Probably forward spotters for the barrage. They were on a low hill to the south-east of the crash-site. Allison knew her pelican was out of range to fire on the spotters and it was definitely too long a shot to hit the wraiths. For now she continued orbiting. If the wraiths stop shooting she could at least drop off her passengers. Maybe top of her tank as well, if there was any fuel left.

"UNSC ground, be advised. Those tanks are keeping up their barrage. STARS has sighted two forward observers. I can stay on station for a while, but at some point I'll need to refuel."

Craig had been careful to not use the missiles on board. They were precious, and the 70mm HE rounds were enough for now. It wouldn't matter though if they had no fuel. And if there was fuel anywhere, it would be on the Morning.

[Deleted]

"Well, I saw the bridge on another level before we came in, I suppose it would be nice if we could find some stairs," I respond to Mark, I really didnt have a clue, seeing as I rarely visited the bridge, and I had avoided any 'problems' on this ship so far.

"If any of the armories are left though, we should find and alert everyone, I am running out of clips and I am sure everyone else is too," There is enough armories that atleast one should be left, and it should be sufficient enough for everyone to fill back up on ammo.

[SurvivorX]

//OOC: I would include a render here, but Blender's being an asshole; some setting I tweaked somewhere that completely fucked everything in the entire universe up. What I can do however, is tell you what's on the other side of the structure - it's a big valley of snow with a few dirt and rock patches. A small portion of the water seeps out next to the structure, but units from the building have a clear fire lane out into the valley. Inbound is a pair of Warthogs and twelve Marines.\\

I glance out at the two Human vehicles approaching. They are moving slowly, to let the other Humans on the ground keep up. I chuckle a little.

"Nitroxus, they are moving slowly. Teach them that this is a mistake."

He grunts and hefts his Beam Rifle, lining up a shot. I zoom in my image-enhancer to see the target as well. I hear a loud PZEW, and a few clicks to my right as Nitroxus fires and his weapon cycles. A pencil-thin lance of brilliant blue light snaps out and reduces the head of one of the machine-gunners to boiling mush. I grind my mandibles together. One down.

The other Warthog swings around as evasive action as the other Humans dive for cover and one grabs the gun on the back. The two Warthogs drive fast towards us, and I grip my energy sword tightly as I hollar out, "OPEN FIRE!"

The Grunts begin firing wildly with the plasma-cannon and fuel-rod cannon. I look over to see 'Kaezodee fade away into invisibility. I grin. This will be simple.

[darknight101]

"This is Lieutenant Rodriguez on board the Crimson Morning to any and all UNSC Forces Ringside. Please respond, over." came over the sound system throughout the ship.

Ronald jumped at least three feet into the air. The squad of three behind him nearly broke into hysterics.

"Thank god the damn Covies aren't here, or we'd all be dead!" he shouted at them.

"Relax, Sarge" Greene said "You heard that message, the bomb was defused, we've got nothing to worry about, for now anyways."

"Grrr!" Wilson gritted his teeth, then turned a thoughtful nod to where the announcement came from. "That must be the Luitenant, if he made it through then at least we have some sort of command structure in place. Not a bunch of ragtag punks" he glared at his own squad.

He turned on his own radio and tried to get a signal, this Luitenant Rodriguez wanted people to report. "Sir, this is Sgt. Wilson, I have three other men with me. Awaiting any orders."

[wtiger]

"If any of the armories are left though, we should find and alert everyone, I am running out of clips and I am sure everyone else is too."

Mark nodded, a good idea, but he still wanted to get his injured men back to the ship.

"You and the other two that came with us can go and help the marines find and disable any traps that the covies have left. Me and Tony are going to go to the bridge and tell whoevers in charge about Grey, Metterick and the other two hiding out there."

He dragged at his cigarette and motioned to Tony to follow him, and saluted Johnathan with a grin.
"I hope to see you again John, good luck."

Turning he walked briskly down the corridor, toward the general direction of the bridge. Tony hurrying behind him gun at his side, following the trail of cigarette smoke in the crisp cold air.

[conner553]

Conner was still in the pelican, itching to get back into the fight. As the drop ship circled around, Conner called the pilots COM.

"Sir, This is Corporal Conner Herons. When are we going to land? I really want to get back to the fight on the ground. There are plenty of covenant to shoot after all."

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ORBITING CRIMSON MORNING CRASH SITE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison heard the Corporal come over the comm, "That's Ma'am, Marine." She replied slightly irritated, 2500 years into the future and people still thought fighting was primarily done by men.

Allison keyed the comm to Lieutenant Rodriguez. "UNSC Ground, super-six-one. I have marines on board ready to deploy. I have no landing area at the crash-site. Please advise, over."

Allison looked over the crash site and the stray blobs from the wraiths creating steam out of the snow. She awaited reply to drop off her chalk.

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, CARGO MASTER'S OFFICE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson looked over the manifest displayed on the cracked screen, Renault was trying to patch it through to the bridge computer for Lieutenant Rodriguez to see. Carson read from the requisitions list, the Morning had been carrying enough gear for a quick gorilla style assault on Covenant forces, but they're just wasn't a lot to use for a prolonged stay anywhere much less on some alien ring-world. Carson shook his head lightly. "Lot's of ammo, quite a few hogs...Even a few hornets....That's not a lot. I don't think this is a full cargo list..."

Renault looked towards Carson over his shoulder. "Of course it is. UNSC protocol says that the cargo officer must have full knowledge of what's on board for safety and security reasons."

Carson nodded. "Yeah, UNSC. What about spooks?"

Renault just continued to look towards Carson. "Come on, Jerry. We've all heard the stories, and you know just as well as I do. That spook was on board. I doubt military intelligence is stupid enough not to prepare for some kind of contingency like this." Carson reasoned. If this was a normal UNSC operation, there would have been some kind of survival gear, especially for some kind of prolonged combat scenario. Therefore, it was only reasonable to assume ONI would have even better shit for the same scenario's. Some kind of long range, hyper-dimensional distress signal....Maybe a trans-warp-portal technology....Or maybe some kind of BFG-9000....Portable field artillery kit.....Something. Carson let the absurd thoughts wisp away in his mind and looked back to Renault. "Alright, Carson. We're good, I sent the manifest list of all equipment on board to the bridge for the el-tee. We can let those marine regulars do the count on what is left."

Carson nodded before they exited and went to the fighter bays where the rest of fire team three was. The team sat among the landing platforms. Carson removed the two used magazines. He took the remaining rounds out of one clip and placed them in the other magazine. Instead of two half-empty magazines, he now had one almost completely empty magazine. He replaced the few leftover rounds into the empty magazine, then replaced them on his load bearing vest. Meanwhile, Samson was apparently going over the STARS telemetry in his helmet. "STARS has those Wraiths in site. They haven't let up one bit since we took the ship back."

"They're trying to keep us here, probably prepping another assault team to come take the ship by force." Dennison said as she reorganized her medical pack that usually was on her back.

"Doubt it." Renters replied. "Covenant wouldn't be stupid or ballsy enough to attack our fortified ship dead on....They're not desperate enough. They stopped shooting at the Crimson when it was near the ring.....They could have just killed us then, but they weren't willing to shoot. So, something stopped them. If they really wanted to kill us, they would have glassed the ship already, I'm sure."

Carson looked up from his now completed task to Renters with a nod. It made sense.

"Special operations?" Renault asked.

"Probably not." Samson finally responded. "What's the goal? Special operations are small and stealthy. What goal would they have. There's no command staff here...They couldn't move one of those heavy bombs in. Engine systems are offline, so they couldn't detonate the core...No, it would be a waste of the team. You don't send in special operations for just hunt-and-kill....It's a blockade."

Carson looked towards Samson as he continued. "The Covenant aren't stupid. They know any sane soldier is gonna come to the crash-site. Shit, we all did. So, what better way to keep outside help from getting in, while simultaneously keeping inside help from deploying out? Make them stay in a hole. Which is where we are. The only way I see us taking the fight to those wraiths from here.....Would be if the ice caverns lead to an alternate way out to the north....And we haven't even begun mapping any of the caverns out yet."

Carson nodded, that made even more sense. Carson admired Samson's military smarts. Then again, Samson was some total military gung-ho type. Went to REACH War College when he was in high-school, and did all kinds of other military related bullshit.

"Well, then, shouldn't we explore the caverns a bit then. If we're lucky something will be big enough to get some vehicles through."

Renters laughed a bit. "Shit, it's ice. If it isn't big enough, we can always, make it big enough."

Carson nodded, true enough, until the entire thing collapsed on you. Although, Carson just stayed quite for the moment.

"We aren't doing a damn thing until the Lieutenant tells us we are." Samson stated. For now, I guess it was just a sit and wait game.

[Administrator]

//OOC:Pardon if I kinda do something wrong, im just trying to jump into the story so im going to jump in with ol' Conner there\\

Sitting in the back of the pelican, I quietly look around, the tension in the atmosphere is almost thick enough to be cut with a knife.

After hearing Conners comment, I look at him and grin

"Don't you worry there son, there will be plenty left over for us to kill when we get down there." I reply.

Looking down at the battlefield through the window, I start to wonder... "is the bastard that killed my father down there." The thought makes me clench my Battle Rifle tighter, my lips pursing into a razor thin line.

[conner553]

Conner looked, at saw another marine talking to him. Responding, he said.

"Great, those covenant sons-of-bitches killed my entire family, glassed the whole lot of 'em. Man, can't wait to kill some hot shot with a sword, slash through them. Man I love swords." Conner twirled his combat knife, sheathed it, and sighed with boredom. He took out his shotgun, and stuffed in another shell. Reloading his sniper rifle, he pumped the shot gun pump, and prepared to drop.

There were aliens to kill after all.

[maxii1]

Reilly was content to wait at Rally Point Alpha with the others, it wasn't the first time that he had been on a tech-theiveing misson that had gone 'fubar'. Hard to believe that the same mistakes where it seemed still occuring.
Damn it.
He swore, shouldn't have put his name forward. Should have just stayed with the reminents of Echo Platoon. Instead he and a few foolish fellow squaddies had signed up to 'have another go' at it. He knew that Grafton and Loveridge where good soldiers and that if anyone could survive out there then it would be good old 'Danny Boy' and 'Lover Boy'. Nicknames where a forte of the old sergeant, Harlan had given most of the squad little call-signs.

Reilly Laughed as he recalled his intial nickname; Rich 'Well 'ard' Reilly.
His surronding soldiers looked at him like he was a nutter, he smiled back and asked "Whats the Plan then?" as he rubbed his hands together.

[Deleted]

Brute Captain Major Rictus

I snarled to the grunts near me, sending them running off towards the other side of the Wraith battlegroup, "Keep firing on the humans ship, give them no leeway to move out. The infantry needs to move onto the ship under the plasma barrage, We WILL take back there ship, and this time I will make sure it is destroyed."

There was a throng of grunts and brutes that sorrounded the twelve Wraiths. I was surprised by how quick we had assembled this force, and I wasn't going to let it be wasted on defending the Wraith, they could hold their own. And there wouldn't be any need to defend them if the enemy couldn't leave there defenses. After reassuring myself that my strategy is sound, I give the order for my warriors to move over the ridge.

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ORBITING CRIMSON MORNING CRASH SITE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison watched as STARS located and tracked a surge of enemy infantry. "UNSC ground be advised, you have enemy infantry charging through the field artillery to the ship."

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, STARBOARD FIGHTER BAYS

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson and the entire team got their heads on a swivel as the pilots communication filtered through. Renault was the first one up though. He moved to the open hanger bay, the ship was tilted at an angle but it actually gave them a higher line of sight and more cover. Renault had gone prone at the lip of the fighter bay and was currently sighting in the nearest ridge line. STARS was pegging incoming contacts just on the opposite side.

Samson took a moment to survey the topographical map with the red blips coming towards the ship. The bombardment intensifying. Renters was starring at the top of the catwalk that lead up into some unknown bowls of the ship. "I have an idea." Renters finally said. The whole team froze for a moment and looked at him, almost forgetting for a moment the severity of the situation. After a moment Renters rushed to the launch control tower. He looked at the computer screens. A few of the auto-cannons were still active. He wasn't sure if they were operating correctly, or if they had ammo.

"Get to the cannons! 21 and 28 are still up!" Renters shouted. He rushed to the nearest one. Carson couldn't help himself either and rushed towards the other.

Carson moved to the control console, which appeared similar to the small stations on the bridge of a ship. There was a small joystick and digital, and visual screens. The auto cannons, were on an angle with the rest of the ship, so there was effectively a deep dead zone close up to the ship. Without the manual input though, the cannons would just sit idly. They would probably fire on seraphs, but the smaller banshees weren't enough to draw the fire neither was infantry for that matter. As the first few troops rounded the top of the ridge battery 21 opened up. The high explosive shells whizzed out and shredded the hilltop. Their was lots of frost or steam, Carson wasn't sure. The weapons heated up really fast in atmosphere and couldn't have long sustained bursts, otherwise it would overload the coolant sinks. Carson got a handle on the controls after a moment and pressed the trigger. Nothing happened. The screen flashed in red, with large yellow letters. "FEEDING MALFUNCTION!!!"

"Someone fix this fucking thing?!" Carson shouted down to the bay floor. Samson climbed the catwalk as quick as he could, and went the overhead belt that fed the cannons. The large shells sat ready, however, one near the receiver was caught halfway in and halfway out of the receiver of the weapon. "Dennison, get up here!" Samson shouted. Dennison quickly joined Samson, she held up the rounds putting the pressure on the open receiver while Samson using the butt of his rifle smacked on the shell until it fell into place.

Carson's station came online and he finally paid attention to the field. Carson used controlled bursts towards the rushing enemies. It wasn't really even fair, he didn't have to hit anywhere near the enemies for the splash damage to do anything. Although, it was very rewarding when a round tore through an enemy then detonated a fine mist of alien blood.

Carson had been focusing on Samson and Dennison and wasn't sure how many, if any of the enemy made it into the safe zone. Of course, surely marines in the area would be repelling the borders. Renault would be taking shots as would Dennison and Samson.

Carson smiled as he fired the large auto-cannons. It was empowering. Although he wasn't sure how long before the weapons broke down, or the ammo was all used up.

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ORBITING CRIMSON MORNING CRASH SITE

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison blinked as two of the auto-cannons on the Crimson Morning came online. Only two of the many, but the oversize rounds might be enough to make the Covenant think twice, she was also cognizant that the auto-cannons were firing a lot on the way down, ammo was sure to be short. Allison opened the shipboard radio to her crew chief Kelly. "Kelly, we still have the gear on board?"

"Aye, ma'am. We still have our original payload on board. Some EMP grenades, two rocket launchers and eight rockets, some other crap."

"Roger that."

The shipboard PA system sounded in the back to the Marines. "Alright, Marines heads up! Those tanks down there are starting to be a real bother. Take what gear you need off this boat, we're going in."

Allison plotted a course that took them low through a gully to the North, behind the enemy tanks. She couldn't risk going straight in on them. "You need to move fast and hard to get through those tanks."

Allison maneuvered the craft as nimbly as it would, to the destination and floated just meters above the ground. "Alright, Marines. Boots on the ground! Good luck! Super-six-one moving to cover pattern!"

After the last Marines had disembarked she took the craft up and turned it around. She intended to raise higher out of the canyon in order to allow Craig to use the 70mm to cover them. As they approached the top of the ridge, several red specks blipped on their radar. "Shit! Banshee's in-bound, 11 o'clock!" The sun hit the purple craft dead on and the reflecting light made Allison squint. She started to pull the craft to the right, before swinging the nose around and starting off at best speed.

"Units be advised, I have hostile air on my six and will not be available for cover!" Allison cursed. This was going bad really quick, hopefully the stealthy approach hadn't jeprodized the Marines yet. "We should have just used our missiles on the damn tanks!"

Craig responded. "Nothing we can do about that now, Mum!"

Kelly's voice filtered through, as blue plasma started to streak around the pelican. "Three of them on our six, right now."

Barely audible over the whine of the engines, was the cracking of the rear mounted machine gun, Kelly was operating. The pelican was slower and wider than the banshees, and in this canyon there was little chance she could outmaneuver them. She needed an idea, a good one and quick. Hopefully someone, somewhere heard her and was coming to help.

[SurvivorX]

"Keep firing, Grunts!" I hollar as the vehicles begin to close in. I narrow my eyes at them. I know that the Humans use these light vehicles commonly, and that they have a powerful machine-gun and that the Humans call them Warthogs. The Warthogs continue to gain speed as they approach our position. I start to wonder what their plan could be. Those crazy Humans can't honestly be hoping to...could they?

They were. I hollared for Pilnil to bail, and he lets go of the plasma-cannon and leaps aside as the Warthog rushes up to the plasma cannon and smashes it clean off of its mount, sending the cannon flying across the wall and clattering to the ground.

Swearing, I prime a plasma grenade and hurl it against the side of the Warthog as it slows to turn, and then leap aside myself from the second one's charge. I hear a high-pitched whine become slowly higher and higher until...

POW! The grenade goes off in a flash of light, crumpling the side of the Warthog inward and scorching and melting the entire side. The vehicle itself is hurled to its left. The passenger is killed, no doubts there, and the gunner is hurled from his traces and slams to the hard metal ground. I cannot tell what sort of state the driver is in, but the vehicle stays put. I can only assume the driver is unconscious or dead.

I turn to see Zeeker firing his Fuel-Rod cannon wildly in the air. I will have stern words for the Grunt after the battle. Such a blatant waste of ammunition, and in a combat situation! Unforgivable.

The gunner turns towards me, and I feel a gut-wrenching moment of fear as the machinegun starts to spin up, firing a smattering of bullets at and around me, hitting my shields hard and causing flashes of light to ping around me. This is it. I was overconfident. That machine-gun will make mincemeat of me.

Then I see a flashing arc of bright white light slash through the gunner, and I see 'Kaezodee appear, standing on top of the Warthog. The passenger pulls up his shotgun in surprise, but by now, Kaezodee has leapt off. The gunner slumps and falls from the Warthog. The vehicle turns and leaves, heading back towards the Humans on foot, some ways behind as they begin firing on us from far off, the bullets zinging through the air and slapping the ground as my shields begin to recharge.

[maxii1]

Pvt. Richard Reilly
Location: Crimson Morning, Rally Point Alpha

"Look Sharp, Covenant Inbound!" Shouted Jackson.
Reilly quickly pointed to Umber the Technician and told him to join Dimtri and the medic further down the corridoor.

"Jackson! Please tell me you guys set up a turret whilst I was gone" half pleaded Reilly as he moved to the opening from where he could see the Covenant running.
He brought his rifle up and fired as soon as he had a target.

Pvt. Jackson looked around "Erm, I'll Radio in for support. I know that the other squads are moving around collecting gear and vehicles. Lets hope they have one."

Reilly then saw some massive explosions, not uncommon around here except that the explosions where not bright blue ones, but more like that of a mounted Cannon.
He Laughed as his Quarry was blown up by one of those tremendous explosions; the covenant where on their own Forlorn Hope.
And it had little Hope for success, or so it seemed............
____________________________________________________

Pilot Paul Nikon
Location: Crimson Morning Pelican Bay

The Pelican Bay had been evacuated during the landing of the Crimson Morning. Most of the manned Craft had made it out of the ship only to be greeted with Covenant Anti-Air.
A single Pelican had remained docked, waiting for stragelers that never showed up.
That Pelican was Foxtrot-Seven Five Three.
-------------------------------------------------------

"Hey Layton, Reckon it'll rub out?" asked Nikon as he gestured to the massive dent in the Pelican.
The Crew Chief half laughed before shaking his head.
"Sorry Nikon, It's Had It".
Nikon and his Crew had stayed put trying to raise anyone on the radio and then fixing their Craft.
"Maybe if I had enough time...." Layton began complaining, something he was known to do.

"Comms are back up!" Shouted Gibson from the Cockpit.
'Three of them on our six, right now.' crackled the radio.
"Shit! Super-Six-One is under attack!" she added.
Nikon was obviously distressed to hear this, he knew and liked the crew aboard.
Layton clicked his fingers after thinking for a few moments. "Nikon! Hornets are kept next door, maybe they fared better than F-753?"
Nikon smiled "Of Course! Your a Genius Layton, I'll have a look, in the mean time open the bay doors and fix up the Pelican".

Gibson made a bid to join Nikon whom shook his head, "You Stay Here, If Layton fixes it then your flying it."
Lydia liked the idea of piloting the pelican without Nikon's witty and pointless chatter and returned to the cockpit.

"Super-Six-One? This is Gibson aboard Pelican Foxtrot-Seven-Five-Three, Just to say that a Hornet should be inbound. Standby for Nikon to update you."
--------------------------------------------
Two Hornets where situated in front of Nikon. Which one he thought.
Left or Right.
Left, Nikon decided.
No! Right! Nikon jumped in and read the Call-Sign of the Hornet.
"Super-Six-One, This is Nikon I'm Inbound in H-21, want to tell me what I should be expecting WestBrooke?"

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

NORTH OF THE CRIMSON MORNING CRASH SITE, PURSUED BY BANSHEES

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison swayed from left to right, attempting to shake the nimble banshees targeting. So far all the scratches were just skin deep, but she wasn't sure how long the bird had.

"Super-Six-One? This is Gibson aboard Pelican Foxtrot-Seven-Five-Three, Just to say that a Hornet should be inbound. Standby for Nikon to update you." Gibson was the crew from F-753 which was Paul Nikon's bird. He had a lot of combat experience.

"Super-Six-One, This is Nikon I'm Inbound in H-21, want to tell me what I should be expecting WestBrooke?" Paul's voice filtered through.

Allison smiled beneath the helmet. "Thank God, Paul!" She blurted, forgetting for a moment the proper protocol of using call signs. "Bastards are all over me. I'm low in a canyon trying to make it back to the crash site. Three on my six in pursuit. Scope is reading three more at eleven, high - point zero-four. With another sortie lagging behind."

Allison listened as Kelly spoke through the ship-board comm. "Reloading!" Kelly, had the process down pat, it took her only about fifteen seconds to retrieve the next drum, replace it and feed the ammo into the weapon. Allison watched the scope as the dots to her eleven started closing in. She started to pull up out of the canyon. In just a few moments, there was streaking blue plasma fanning out in front of her. She jerked the stick to the left, into the path of the fire. The banshees overshot her and banked to the left, probably trying to come in line. That was seven on her tail.

The dull clacking from the back of the pelican started again. "Scratch one!" Kelly's voice filtered through, just audible over the drone of the fifty. Six was better than seven. Allison banked back towards the right, waited for the banshees to fall into line then immediately banked back towards the left. Hopefully this helix pattern would minimize how much damage she would take.

"Hotel-two-one, you better get here right quick!" Allison commented quickly. It wasn't long before the banshees caught on. Halfway through her break to the right, three of the six banshees broke early left. Allison was watching the scope. Had she banked left, she would have drifted right into their firing line. Instead, Allison started to roll the craft to the right, while staying on a straight path. Craig, turned his head, and fixed on the lead banshee. The turreted seventy would have done the same. He fired three long bursts and the lead one went down.

The two remaining craft slowed and banked in towards her, leading her craft a bit before firing. Allison wheeled over and dived back down into the cavern. She could hear the plasma slam into the undercarriage. "Kelly, what's the damage?" Craig automatically asked.

"Nothing came through, but I can feel the heat..." She replied quickly.

=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, STARBOARD FIGHTER BAYS - POINT DEFENSE CANNON'S MANUAL GUNNER STATION

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson had a huge grin on his face behind his mirrored helmet. It was just too damn easy. He had once ran out of ammo, but Samson an Dennison had gone to the other cannons which were offline and stripped the rounds from the weapon and had them loaded into his feeder. The machine that was supposed to do this though, had blown one of four of it's hydraulics and whined loudly each time it was tasked with doing this. No one was sure how long before the machine simply failed. At least for now they were sitting pretty. Carson, wondered how long before the dumb shits would stop the charge.


========
ZUKA'ZANZAMEE

NINTH AGE OF RECLAMATION

SACRED RING OF THE FORERUNNERS

EASTERN FORTRESS
========

Zuka listened to the field reports, he had heard some dumb ape had been placed in charge of the field masters barrage on the human ship and furthermore the dumb ape- Brute Captain Major Rictus; had ordered a head on charge onto the ship. The ships point defense weapons were turned on the charge.

Zuka studied the field of battle. If anyone in this backwater outfit desired to destroy the ship, none of them were showing any promise. Were it up to Zuka, he would have simply blasted the ship from orbit. Sure, it may scar the holy relic, but that was the price of the insolence of the fleet master Doro'Gatrumee, and that shame would belong to him.

If perhaps though, the Prophet of Ideation believed Zuka's form to aggressive, then surely other measures would be advisable. Zuka, considered the battle field. In the midst of this charge, while those point defense weapons wasted precious ammo on the infantry. It would be quite easy for Seraph bombers to streak in and slam the human ship with torpedoes, wretch it open. Early reports showed that the ship's structural integrity was already compromised. That the super-structure had already been bowing.

Zuka finally stood up, he would seek and audience with the Prophet of Ideation and propose his plan.

[conner553]

Sorry, I didnt read part of casters post, ignore it!

A boiling hot stream of blue plasma blasted by the pelican, one splashing on it, but not causing much damage at all. The heat from the weapon though, caused Conners handle to heat up, he dropped it with a yelp, and picked it back up. He fired a blast at it, missing completely. Conner hated entrusting his life to some pilot he didn't know, even though she was a brilliant pilot. The pelican swung back in forth, evading the shots. Then, a banshee exploded into a mess of blue flames, plasma, and molten metal. It tumbled to the ground, and crashed. Then another exploded too, that gunner was damn good. A volley of rounds hit the underbelly, one meted through, nearly burning off Conners foot. With a yelp, he leaped into the seat beside him, and contacted the pilots COM.

"When is this thing gonna land?"

[maxii1]

Nikon smiled at the tenacity of the pelican and it's crew, he had remembered just how dangerous those Banshee Waves could be.
"Lets see now" Nikon said to himself as he fiddled with one of the weapon joysticks, a beeping suddenly was emitted by the Hornet.
"Hotel-two-one, you better get here right quick!" the paniced voice came through the comm's
"I hear that" Nikon said as he zoomed behind the banshee formation.
He pressed the red button on the joystick and immediately the formation reacted.
Twisting, Turning in the air. Nikon quickly found another target and fired, now there where four missles locking into the enemy.
No evasive manevour however could have saved the two Elites that piloted their Banshees.
"Scratch One, Thats Two" Nikon smiled and sought another target.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
'What the?' Nikon thought before realising that he had been flanked, he was about to swivel the craft around when another contact charged him head on.
"AH! Bugger!" Nikon then remembered he wasn't in a Pelican and half chortteled. He pulled downwards on the joystick and hovered at a different altitude.
The two charging Banshee's crashed into each other causing a heavy explosion which shock the light Hornet, reminding the man of his time hand-gliding; when the elements where responsible for his wellfare.
Shards of the Covenant Craft where dropping all around the Hornet. Nikon dodged and dived but for all his trouble still recieved a heavy banshee wing into the left side of his craft. It pushed Hotel-Two-One down further towards the ground.
Nikon pulled up and searched the sky's with his eyes. Checking for a purple stream of light.
"Super-Six-One, I've taken care of four of the blighters, you got any more near you?"
Nikon checked the screen which showed a 3D map of the area, Pelican Six One was somewhere to his right, the collision must have knocked out the enemy sensor as there wasn't a red dot in sight.

Should have chosen the Left Hornet! Nikon joked to himself.

[caster]

=========
LIEUTENANT ALLISON M. WESTBROOKE - "SUPER SIX-ONE"

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

NORTH OF THE CRIMSON MORNING CRASH SITE, PURSUED BY BANSHEES

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Allison looked to the scope. There was no more contacts at the moment. She started looking around the sky around her craft, making sure.

"Hotel-two-one, super-six-one. Thanks for the bailout! I put boots on the ground near the enemy tanks. Those boys might need some air support." Allison started to come around and head back towards the Marines she had dropped off. "Not sure how many more sorties the squids might have."

Allison passed by Paul and tilted her wing a bit in his direction. Universal sign of "I see you" and "Thanks".

Allison came in again, low from the North. She wasn't sure whether Paul was following. At least this time she knew to be on the look out for the banshees.

========
ZUKA'ZANZAMEE

NINTH AGE OF RECLAMATION

SACRED RING OF THE FORERUNNERS

EASTERN FORTRESS
========

Zuka'Zanzamee entered the Prophet of Ideation's quarters, well, the representative quarters. The holo-projector was guarded by four dangerous looking Honor Guards, one of them an Ultra. After a long moment the Prophet of Ideation's form floated before Zuka, who lowered his head in respect. "Noble, Prophet of Ideation."

"What is it, warrior?" The prophet mused with a raise of its finger.

"Forgive my insolence, but I do not understand the purpose of our assault." Zuka was careful how he worded his phrases. He walked a razors edge with this Prophet. If he came off too stupid, or too insolent, he would likely be killed.

The prophet leaned forward, it's eyes narrowing. "The purpose....The purpose is to wipe the filth from the glory of the sacred rings!"

Zuka lowered his head further as the prophet became irritated by the bothersome questions Zuka offered. "Then, I have not misunderstood the intent. Great Prophet, then I ask.....Why have we not since silenced the resistance building at the human wreckage?"

The prophet raised an inquisitional eyebrow but said nothing. Zuka continued. "We have the power to glass that wreckage, and everything in it from orbit. Why have we not?"

"I would expect someone of your rank, to know such an answer. The sacred rings are the promise of the Prophets, in a tangible form. With this, the path to the Great Journey is clear...Our passage guaranteed. We will not scar the sacred relic."

Zuka nodded and finally looked up to the prophet. "Sometimes, having a scar after removing a cancer is greater than letting it fester for any amount of time." Zuka watched the prophet to gauge his reaction. The prophet turned his head to the left. Zuka had him listening. "However, if the noble prophets feel that perhaps at this solution be too critical, then there are other options. Reports from the initial strike teams indicate that the human ship had extensive and severe super-structure damage. That it was bowing and crumbling around them. It would not take much to fold the structure in on itself. Dispatch Seraphs and bomb the wreckage into cinder." Zuka was standing at full height now. The prophet studied him for a moment and considered the proposal before speaking.

"What is your name, Sangheili?"The prophet finally asked.

"Zuka'Zanzamee"

"Yes...Well....I do not presume; Zuka'Zanzamee to know the arts of warfare as the Sangheili do. But, I do understand your explanation. It is not my place to orchestrate forces, only to guide and direct theirs swords. But, I value those special warriors with the aptitude to take my instructions and fulfill the expectations." The prophet silenced before looking off the side. "Fleet Master, dispatch a wing of Seraphs. Place them under the guidance of Ultra Zuka'Zanzamee."

Zuka held his pleasure. He simply stood resolute. Then the prophet looked directly at him. "Ultra, let this be clear. Your failure with such a great task will bind your fate with those the cowards and traitors who forfeit both their honor and their place on the great journey.....And as such, their life." The prophets hologram simply faded away. Zuka turned and walked out of the quarters. The Field Master approached from Zuka's right.

"You overstep your boundaries, Ultra!" The Field Master growled. Zuka had likely stepped on the toes of some of the more meritorious warriors, that had likely placed a large target on his back. There was no more room for pleasantries. All would know now, the vie for power, control, and notoriety had begun.

"Perhaps, Field Master if you were capable of completing the task yourself I would not have to." Zuka retorted quickly. The field master narrowed his eyes. How long would the rift run before either side became the victor.

Zuka continued to his quarters, over the battle-net the seraph leader spoke. "Zuka'Zanzamee, we are arriving now."

"Good, the ships defenses have begun firing on our charge. Only two batteries are operational. Their focus is on the infantry. You should have an element of surprise. Attack the defenses, then focus on the super structure at the spine and ribs of the ship. Turn it into slag!"

"Yes, Ultra." The reply filtered through.

"Do not fail me in this. No retreat. Or, I will surely see you ended." Zuka warned coldly. The loss of a few pilots would be little cost towards his merit.

Zuka studied the field of battle. It was perfect, the tanks kept the humans in their hole. The seraphs would see the hole collapsed on them, and if by some miracle they didn't. The ship would be boarded once more. In any case the humans would perish.


=========
CPL. LEON CARSON
FOX COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - ODST FIRE TEAM 3

DATE/TIME ANOMALY, ESTIMATED YEAR 2543

ABOARD THE CRASHED CRIMSON MORNING, STARBOARD FIGHTER BAYS - POINT DEFENSE CANNON'S MANUAL GUNNER STATION

UNKNOWN SYSTEM/LOCATION
=========

Carson continued firing on the charge. How many grunts and brutes and jackals were they willing to commit to the slaughter, Carson wondered. His thoughts were interrupted by a yellow warning. The screen pinged four seraphs in-bound high.

"Renters!" Carson shouted.

"I see them!" Renters immediately replied.

Carson moved the joystick and turned the cannon up towards the seraphs. By the time the camera mounted on the cannon had a glimpse of the seraphs, it viewed two large blobs streaking toward it before it blinked into static. Half of the weapons station immediately shut off. The main screen just had the word "MALFUNCTION" on it.

"That's it, I'm down!" Carson said as he got up from the seat. He made his way to the ladder and quickly slid down it. Coming to the deck he sprinted towards the launch control room. He double checked the defense cannons, all the rest of them were out of commission as Renters had said the first time. A few of them could fire, but had no hydraulic power meaning they would only fire in one spot. That was no good. Renter's was still firing on the seraphs. Carson saw, out of the bay door one streak down before a blue flame erupted and the ship rattled. Had that Covenant pilot just intentionally slammed his seraph into the side of the ship?

Carson met up with Samson, Renault, and Dennison at the lip of the bay. The charge had intensified as the cannons stopped dishing out lead in their direction. After a moment Renters had joined them. He simply shook his head, his gun most have gone down too. "We're boned." Renault stated as he continued firing his sniper rifle on the charge. Samson went to the dock control area again and set the one remaining hydraulic-less turret to fire. It droned again, and the seraphs broke from their bombing for a few minutes before that gun was destroyed. Samson got on the comm. "Lieutenant Rodriguez, it's Samson. The auto-cannons are down, their bombing the ship. Be prepared to defend the borders. But, I think we should start falling back into the caverns, sir."

By this time, most of the useful and not so heavy equipment had been driven, carted, or carried off to the port side of the ship where the caverns were in preparation to launch out of the caverns to wherever else they could hide. Carson shook his head. How many things they could use later would get left behind? He only wished that those Marine regulars along with those Navy persons got a lot of it stocked up. "On me, squad." Samson said. The fire fell in and moved out of the fighter bay. Stopping at the weapons locker to restock on ammo and grenades. Samson lead the squad down towards the massive hole in the ship the Covenant were charging toward. They could help, and the crew on board would likely need all the help they could get.

[SurvivorX]

I crouch behind the cover of the structure, firing my Carbine out at the enemy. I glance at the vehicle, damaged heavily by my Plasma Grenade. "Zeeker, pass me your cannon and determine if this vehicle is serviceable!"

He runs past me, throwing his Fuel-Rod Cannon to the ground at my feet, clearly overjoyed to be not in the fray and doing something technical. I will never understand that Grunt. I do not care to, anyways.

I sling my Carbine across my back and take aim down at the Humans, noting that I have four shots remaining. I fire two in their general direction, keeping the remaining two in reserve. The fuel-rod shots pound into their cover, as the remaining five or so Humans pile onto their vehicle, far more than it is designed to carry, and turn around to retreat.

I sneer at them and spit on the ground. They will be back when they have gathered more forces. For now, however, we have bloodied their nose and gained one of their precious Warthogs.

Zeeker calls out from the vehicle, "It should still work - I think you just hurt the Humans in it. No guarantees, though, 'cuz I think the left rear wheel is about to fall off."

"I do not wish to have to deal with a potential problem. Nitroxus, tear the engine out of this vehicle, and set it up as cover. Get off there, runt, and next time do not waste our ammunition!"

Nitroxus holds up a hand for me to wait a second, and tears the machine-gun on the back from its mounting. Grunting in approval, I position myself at the front, Bleadaron at the back, and Nitroxus sets the machine-gun aside and lifts from the middle. We move it into the firelane to be used as cover. Nitroxus sets to work gutting the engine.

I hear a message over my radio, it is the Field Master. "Are the Humans dealt with?"

"For now, Field Master, they have scattered like the rats they are."

"Be on the watch, 'Talamee. I have witnessed what may be the start of heresy in the ranks. I will keep you informed. For now, I want you to hold that structure. Reinforcements are on the way via Phantom."

"I do not need reinforcements - I request you save our warriors for where they are needed."

"Very well."

Something tugs at me. The ship! Why has it not exploded? I can see it from here. "Field Master, what is the status on the ship?"

He grunts, as though the subject leaves a bad taste in his mouth. "They have defused the bomb, apparently. They now hide in there like cockroaches. Some suggest glassing it, and the reckless disregard for damaging the Sacred Ring is the potential heresy I mentioned. 'Zanzamee is pummeling the ship with Seraphs, and our Wraith bombardment continues, though they have begun attacking us with air vehicles."

"Is not the ship more important than-"

"Do not question, 'Talamee! Focus on holding the structure there, and then I shall give you further orders."

"Yes, Field Master."

I turn to my squad. "Defensive positions. They will return, in all likelihood, when they have gathered their wits."

[maxii1]

Pelican Bay onboard the Crimson Morning
Layton was frantically messing with the pelican's onboard flight system, Gibson watched him with mild intrest. She'd rather be flying up there, helping Westbrooke and Nikon.
"How Much Longer Cheif?" asked the female pilot.
"Well, er, ummmmm" Layton was not paying attention and was instead meddeling with two wires. "I'll solder this together, like so" Layton was half talking to himself rather than for the benefit of Gibson "And there we are!".
Gibson smiled, F-753 was back in buisness.
"This is Pilot Gibson to whoever the hell is left onboard the ship, I have a Pelican on the tarmac ready for take off, What you want me to do?" Lydia spoke over the intercom.
--------------------------------------
Private Richard Reilly:

"That Infantry's been decimated nicely" Dimitri commented, the medic was able to heal him but not make him rest.
"I Concure" agreed Pvt. Jackson.
"What's that noise?" asked Reilly
"Ah, Hell looks like those few survivors have called in air support!" spoke another Marine.
Reilly looked at his Battle Rifle like it was a pop-gun. "Shit, we need heavy weapons!" he exclaimed.
"No what we need are Wills" spoke the gloomy medic.
"Ah hell, call the Lt, I dunno what we can do to escape this, but there must be something"
---------------------------------------------
Pilot Paul Nikon:

Paul felt obliged to look after Westbrooke's chalk that otherwise would have been ripped to shreds out there on the battleground by the wraith gunners.
"I see we have a Marine Force Recon Lad down there, pleased to be working with one again" Nikon radioed to the men that where moving up onto the tanks.
"Wanna' call the shots?" Nikon asked to the 'lad' on the ground.
A simple line of wraiths, Nikon smiled.
"This is gonna' be easy" he hovered over one of the wraiths which tried to hit him with it's plasma ball's but failed. Nikon prepared to press the red 'fire' button.

A simple warning came over the radio "SERAPHS INBOUND!" Nikon did a double take and turned in his seat, what appeared to be a whole squadron was charging into view.
No Job for a single Pilot, not even if he was in a Longsword.
"Where the Hell is the rest of Super?" he radioed to both Gibson and Westbrooke.
"I was just thinking the same thing, Paul" came Westbrooke's reply.