Mission 6: The Twin Moons (Covenant Moon)

[kuran]

This is the thread for posts taking place on the Covenant moon. The moon is terraformed, however most of the combat will take place in and around the Covenant base.

UNSC Ground Objectives:
1) Deploy and create a Forward Operating Base on the Covenant Controlled Moon.
2) Deploy in combat actions across the surface. Wipe them out!
3) Defend UNSC controlled moon.
4) Ensure a victory for the UNSC. They need it.


Covenant Ground Objectives:
1) Cleanse the Human Base of all vermin on our moon!
2) Destroy their fragile operating base on the other moon!
3) We must protect our moon! Without it, defeat will fall shortly after!
4) The Covenant must win this! We can not allow the UNSC Moral to continue climbing!


Heretic Ground Objectives:
1) Help the UNSC destroy the Covenant who fail to see the prophets lies!

[Kenny]

Field Master Brna Teskulai

Walking out of a Covenant base, the short Sangheili smiled. Another day, another fight it seemed. Thankfully this time he was able to be deployed and on the field. He remembered his last battle on 'Kholo.' Brna had lost many good men, while only achieving a minor victory. He had vowed he would do better this time, as he prepared his energy sword. The warrior was fully able to carry two, but he preferred one as he felt he could glide through battle with it. It also gave him a free hand, which was never a bad thing.

Finishing gearing up, the muscular Covenant soldier had a complete set of weapons. Eight plasma grenades, a plasma launcher, his energy sword and dual plasma rifles ready. Striding out onto the moon's surface, the field master prepared for battle. His forces were in charge of defensive operations on the Covenant's holy moon. While he himself would've enjoyed an offensive role more, he knew defense was a key part in this battle and had forgotten it in his previous mission. Pushing thoughts of failure aside, he looked around at all the other races, many he was commanding. This time he would slaughter all who stood in his way and prove to the other Covenant his strength.

[z]

Rakath V'keelaii

Rakath forced his Moonbeast into his Phantom Gunboat, the beast stood prepared and growled quietly, knowing dinner was coming. Patting the beast on the nose, her then crouched down and laid on the floor, taking up most of the cabin. Pushing past him, Rakath stepped into the cockpit and powered it up, hovering up in the hanger. And with a loud hum, the black plated Phantom flew from the also black painted Corvette, which Phma had given him for the Spec-Ops, It was once the Faith, but no longer Phma's, now it was Rakath's mobile base.

"Rakath, I am going to be occupied with Fleet movements. I am giving you temporary reign on the Heretic Ground and Special Operations, the Navy know the drill."

Rakath's lower jaws flick, still aching from his run-in with Roma, he took a moment before responding. "Got it." he muttered into the comm as the Phantm entered the atmosphere, coming over the Commander comm.

"This is Special Operation Commander Rakath V'keelaii. I have been given permission to take over both Ground and Special Operations. If there are any major Navy moves, run it past me." The Phantom turned to the left and landed slowly on to the ground in the Heretic LZ.

Upon opening it, Rakath looked to his Moonbeast in thought for a moment before he tossed himself on to the beasts back, tapping the armor before he flicked the reigns and the beast took off in a monstrous charge with the Humans and Heretic's alike.

Master Sergeant Lucy Grey

The dropship positioned itself over the ODST LZ. Each of Lunar piled into their pods. Alex, Anders, and Daphne. She was unsure where Cox and Max ended up. Leaning her head back she looked out into the drop bay, darkening her visor.

"Alright, Lunar, you know the drill." Lucy said, gripping the handles.

"When we land, we'll most likely be separated. Daphne, keep that Sniper up and keep an eye out for us. Don't risk your head." She said to her Niece. "Anders, Rocket Launcher make things go boom." Anders returned it with a laugh.

"Alex. Get up with Anders and kick some ass." Alex chcuckled.

"Lets move then!" She called, and the following moment, the pods shot out and towards the ground.

"Prep for impact!"

[hollowsaber]

PO3C Furrow-013 Farret Chi System, Trent Moon. LZ Able-Three

Prepped and ready, Furrow slapped a clip into the belly of his rifle and stood up. Inside of the pelican bay, he and a full load of Marines were waiting to be dropped. He could hear whispers about himself, and could see several eyes turning his way. Yet it didn’t bother him. In their minds, Furrow was going to be their trump card, their savior, and their hero. As all SPARTANs were. Even with those thoughts, each Marine knew that not all of them would make it out alive. Furrow knew that as well. Who knows, maybe today was his day too.

“Clear bay door.” The pilot spoke over the speakers as the door began to drop, showing the rocky terraformed landscape of the area.
“Sword 4-1, we are dropping you at LZ Able-Three. Direct message from command; Secure LZ Able-Three, and gain a foothold. Reinforcements will be here in ten. Air support will be scarce.” The Pilot spoke fast but clear, letting the orders reach everyone in the troop bay as he began to lower the vehicle down. Furrow could hear the hull getting burned away slowly by plasma fire.
“013, assist in the securing of the LZ. Await further orders from above.”

Furrow nodded and immediately stepped forward onto the door. He didn’t even look down as he stepped off, falling six feet to the ground. The second he touched dirt, the SPARTAN flicked to his left and crouched. He raised his rifle and fired a trio of shots, piercing the skull and torso of a Maroon armored Elite. He pulled out his M6 and laid down suppressing fire as best as he could, shooting at the Covenant force that was ready to meet them.

The SPARTAN also took some looks around, keeping his helmet forward as he used his helmet’s HUD Sights to shoot. Cover was thin around the LZ, but rocks and small trees would be enough. The area seemed to still be in the process of growing, but what was here would do. Massive boulders and medium-aged trees spread far in this area, and the Covenant base in the distance was in sight. The wide-openness of the zone was perfect for Furrow, but it would also mean more casualties for the Marines.

“Lets move Sword!” The Marine Lieutenant spoke loudly just as the Pelican reached the rocks, and Marines filed out with their rifles up and ready.
“Katana! Take the right. Saber on the left. Dagger team, on the SPARTAN! Secure the LZ!” The orders were loud and fast as the battle engulfed the platoon and Furrow.

Furrow walked forward to the imaginary line the Marines were making, and placed his boot on a low rock to raise himself up slightly. Aiming his rifle, he fired the last two rounds, piercing through the shielding and helmet of a Blue Armored Elite. The creature dropped hard on top of a Grunt, lifeless as its brains were scattered in the air behind it. Furrow quickly reloaded and shifted to another Elite, firing again until it fell.

“Jimmy!!” A marine on Furrow’s left yelled as another hollered in pain. Furrow stepped back and to the right behind a boulder, looking to see what had happened.
“Medic!” The soldier had a pink needle in his shoulder, and it was glowing...

Furrow crouched and leaned over, gripping the pink needle tightly before yanking it free of where it was lodged. The Marine bellowed in agony and gripped his shoulder, but what Furrow had done would save him. Furrow tossed the crystal out of the way of the marines and stepped in between them and it as it exploded, sending tiny shards into the air. The MJOLNIR armor protected the SPARTAN and the soldiers as they pinged harmlessly off the plates. Raising his rifle again, Furrow fired once more, dropping the Jackal responsible for the shot.

“Medic!!!”
“I’m here.” The medic slid in behind Furrow and immediately got to work on the wound.
“He was hit by a needle.”
“I saw. Jimmy! Jimmy look at me!” The medic slapped the wounded Marine to get his attention. Jimmy groaned and was becoming delirious from the pain that was flowing through him.
“Shit. Help me out, Blackburn.” The medic pulled off his med-kit and started to work. Biofoam would be a waste, and the wound was manageable, so the Medic began to patch it up himself instead.

Furrow put his rifle onto his back and pulled up the fallen Marine’s DMR from the ground. The clip was missing only three rounds, but that wouldn’t pose a problem. The SPARTAN aimed down the sight and fired twice, getting the rhythm of the firing cycle again, as he hadn't used one of the things for a while. It came naturally back as he felt the weapon work in his hands.

“Katana, Moving up!” One of the Sergeants called, waving his squad forward as they pummeled the Covenant.

“Saber, Moving up!” The next Sergeant followed, waving his squad forward as well.

“Sword 4-1, this is Skybird Six-Six, callsign Ariel. I’ll be providing overhead support.”

“Copy that Ariel. We’re securing LZ Able-Three. Covenant forces are to our direct front and in cover. Requesting CAS gun run. Danger close.”

“Roger. Starting gun run, watch your heads.”

[hollowsaber]

PO3C Furrow-013 Farret Chi System, Trent Moon. Assaulting Covenant Base with Sword Actual

The sky burned as the Sparrowhawk spun sideways, the VTOL engines yanking the craft horizontally as its twin GUA-23 cannons shredded the exposed Covenant. Furrow dropped his empty DMR clip and looked down to the wounded Marine, the medic, and the other Marine crouched down helping the medic. The needle wound was nearly patched up, and the Marines would be back at it soon. Looking to his right and left, Furrow saw that the others were mobile.

“You’re clear, Sword.” The Pilot of the Sparrowhawk got lower, checking for survivors quickly before lifting back up into the air.
“I’ll escort you forward.”

“Copy that, 6-6. Let’s more, Sword!” The Lieutenant waved the squads forward but the Marines were on it already, stomping their boots forward.

Furrow handed the wounded Marine and set it up next to the soldier. Pulling his Sniper free from his back, Furrow shoved a fresh clip in before looking down the sights. He scanned the battle in front and watched at the UNSC and Covenant forces truly began to clash. Again, Air-support looked scarce, but even so, Marines and Troopers were getting ground.

“Command, this is Sword Actual. LZ Able-Three is secure. Clear to bring the dogs. We’re oscar mike to Objective Omega.” The Lieutenant reported to the Navy Commanders above as he reloaded his MA5 and hurdled a rock.

“Copy that Sword Actual. Good hunting.” The Man on the other side responded, and as Furrow looked up, he saw four Pelicans drop out of the atmosphere for the LZ. They must’ve been waiting.

“Zero-One-Three, this is Overwatch. Do you copy?” Suddenly a female voice filled Furrow’s helmet, catching him off guard a little.

“Overwatch, I read you. Go ahead.” Furrow pushed over the rock, leaving the Marines and Medic behind as he moved forward with Sword.

“ONI has given us command over you. Proceed to Objective Omega. Support the Marines as much as you can. Break.”

“Once the Objective is secure, await further orders. Copy.”

“Zero-One-Three copies all. Proceeding to Objective Omega.” Furrow gripped his rifle tight and raised it up as he ran, firing twice. As he shot, he connected to the Lieutenant and moved up beside several marines.
“Come on Marines! Lets take this damn thing before the others even see it!” The Lieutenant barked.

[Huka]

Minor Domo Bori 'Muramee
Outer Defenses of the Covenant garrison

The humans appeared out of nowhere, they shot through the orbital defenses thanks to the lack of Covenant ships. From the rumors amongst the ranks, he heard one of the Humans' legendary Ship Masters Klix was amongst the invaders.

He will not allow his lance's morale to be hindered because the others' fear, he will make sure they remain strong against their cowardly enemy.

While the other lances tried to battle the humans head-on, Bori ventured around, using his instinctive stealth to flank the invaders.

There was a creche-sized attack force at the moment, trying to overrun his brothers like a pack of Unggoy. Deciding to have the lance stay behind and help out as best as they can, Bori knew they would be more of a hindrance than actually help in this kind of work.

Keeping low, he found the humans, distracted as planned. Unclipping a pair of plasma grenades from his belt, he waited until he was close enough before tossing the burning explosives.

Hiding, he heard humans scream their barbaric language before explosions took lives. Angling his head, he saw several charred ground where a handful of humans once stood. The others were wild-eyed and some started to seperate to find the one responsible.

Clicking his mandibles in a mute chuckle, Bori pulled his needle rifle before sneaking off to hunt.

[Kenny]

Field Master Brna

The humans had now started their assault, and the Covenant had greeted them with open arms, guns firing. The leader of part of the army strode through battle, both plasma rifles blazing. He continued forward and found a small team of 8-10 humans. With two major Sangheili and eight Unggoy majors they charged the enemy group laughing in Slaughter. Brna opened fire on the entire group, seemingly everywhere at once. In a matter of seconds, half the humans were dead. As his weapons ran out of their battery, the Field Master dropped them as he unsheathed his energy sword. He viciously lunged at one who was fumbling with a human grenade a it's belt. The smaller figure went down quickly and the Covenant soldier's blood lust went up as he rolled to the right away from a shotgun blast. He jumped up, landing on the inferior soldier with his energy sword aimed at it's head. He triumphantly laughed and turned around with a wild grin on his face. Though upon calming down, he noticed the humans were all defeated and they had lost four of the Unggoy. Unfortunately one of the Sangheili majors was injured, but it seemed he could continue. Nodding to them, Brna started sprinting away towards the battle.

As he got closer and closer to the opposing force, the Field Master watched all of his soldiers. Though some were dying from the sudden attack, many of the others were still valiantly carrying on as they murdered their enemies. The short Sangheili himself though, was currently alone as he neared a larger group rushing towards the base. Though it seemed one was stupid enough to seperate. He eyed the human and decided to head after this one. It was not honorable at all to leave the rest of your group to cower alone. Though as he continued watching the single human, he noticed it was running TOWARDS him not away from the battle. If this human felt he was up to the task, Brna would gladly face him in battle as his Legion's slaughtered the rest of the humans. Deciding to surprise the enemy warrior, the Field Master did his best to not be noticed though continued towards the human.

Inquisitor Kira
Covenant Moon

While the rest of the Covenant ran ahead, the 'demon' had decided to stay closer to the base. While many had thought he would be one of the warrior's in the front of the assault, he himself had decided to stop the more powerful humans that would be able to make it near the base. He would crush their hope when they thought they had successfully made to the base, but would be stopped by the single warrior. Uttering a small demonic chuckle, Kira pulled out a beam rifle. While long-range wasn't his best mode of combat, he decided it would work until the humans started closing in one the base. He had dual energy swords and of course, Surota, for when they did finally make it, if they could. Tapping on his 'voice-thrower' as it was known, the Inquisitor had it ready to lure the less intelligent humans away from their group to be brutally murdered. He smiled, he saw some of the Covenant in one area die. While slightly distressed by the victorious humans in the battle, it would make killing them so much better.

[Huka]

Minor Domo Bori 'Muramai

Hunting down the human lances one-by-one, Bori dispatches them with his cunning and mixed skills of hunter and soldier. The feelings of war starting to claw their way back into his head.

No longer was he hunting down simple animals that scurry on the moon's surface, no more training exercises to just keep himself in check, but actual battle once again.

Dropping from a tree, he landed on a human's back, feeling its obselete armor and body crunch under his weight. With his traditional clan curveblade in one hand, that looked like a middlesword in the eyes of the humans, the young Muram warrior watched as the humans infront of him quickly turned to the sound and looked in horror at the blood splattered on his blue armor.

Clicking his mandibles rapidly, making a certain insectiod noise that only Sangheili of his kind could make, Bori lunged forward with his bloody claws out and his blade primed to strike.

The closest human screamed as he tried to lift his gun, but Bori swatted it back down, and cleaved the little creature's neck, leaving only a strap of flesh and spine to keep its head on. Growling, he spin-kicked the body into a nearby human, knocking it down and distracting its partner long enough for close the gap between them with a sudden roll forward.

Springing back up to his feet, he impaled the human on his blade, and used its spasming body as a shield against a small torrent of bullet from the commander. When the commander realized what it was shooting at, it screamed in horror at its mistake and tried to fire at Bori's leg but a click made its way to both combatants' ears.

Throwing the body aside, along with his blade still in it, Bori moved to unholster his plasma pistol, as did the human.

Being much more quicker and booned with the fortune of having a magnetic holster, Bori drew first and fired three plasma bolts into the human.

Falling back in pain, sizzling holes in its right shoulder, left thigh, and the right corner of its ribs, the human cried in agony. Striding to the body with urgence, Bori stepped on the human to keep it still before blasting a hole in its face.

Holstering his pistol, Bori just remembered about the other human. Turning, he found the first casualty but the other was missing.

Kneeling down, he caught hasty tracks running towards the trees.

Looking with keen eyes, the Muram hunter saw the human running quickly to escape.

Pulling out his needle rifle, he knew he had a few needles left but it would be enough. Aiming carefully, he centered his sights, and fired thrice.

A needle missed but the other two made their mark in the coward's back. Being as he is, he knew immediately that he severed its spine. A quick kill.

---

Returning his attention to the other corspes, Bori retrieved his blade and clean the blood off before he saw objects falling through the sky.

Looking carefully, he knew they were orbital drop pods, at last...reinforcements.

After making sure he killed the lances off, Bori started to head back to the others before he heard gunfire. Wandering to the noise, he heard horrible screams in the mix.

Moving pass a tree, he was nearly hit by a human soaring through the air and slam into a tree, dead. "By the Gods!" He growled to himself at the sudden death. Quickly moving to the battlefield, he saw human corspes littered about, in pieces or whole with plasma wounds.

And finally, in a clearing, he saw a tall pale figure standing near a fallen orbital pod. In a long clawed limb was a human soldier, its gloved fingers clawing at the sickly hand, its mouth trying to breath but its windpipe was securely gripped tight.

When Bori stepped closer, the figure turned its head slightly, and decided to finish off its prey with a great squeeze of its hand and dismissively flung the corpse into the pod.

Staring the ghastly figure of death, Bori was speechless as the new arrival looked at him behind the mask of what could be a Commando, but two thick tubes ran from its cheeks and into its white cloak.

"You bear the hallmark of Muram." The figure said with a light but powerful voice, echoing in a dark mechanical undertone. "It have been too long since I have seen my own kin in the battlefield."

Bori couldn't quite find words but decided to bow in respect, lowering his head, and when he rose it again, the figure was beside him, standing several inches over him. His presence as cold as ice and put off a sense of dread.

Then a large hand feel on his shoulder, deformed as if put into a fire, and its claws were long and bestial.

"Come, novice. We have much to do." He said. "Who are you?" Bori asked as last.

"I was once like you until fate changed me." The ghost said. "Into what?" The hunter asked, glancing at the tall figure. "Into a Inquisitor."

With that, he walked ahead.

[hollowsaber]

PO3C Furrow-013 + Sword Actual Farret Chi System, Trent Moon. Advancing on Covenant Base

Hurdling over the rocks, the Marines and Furrow advanced quickly towards the Covenant base. Precision and speed was their best friend right now, and the faster they moved, the less time the Covenant would get to make fortifications. Coming from the back left of it, they were far off to the side of the main UNSC Force, and they were steamrolling forward as their overwatching Sparrowhawk gave plenty of support with its sporadic strafing runs. This battle was getting exciting...

“Take this you alien freaks!” Aiming a grenade launcher straightforward, one of Katana Squad’s Marines blasted an explosive grenade into a small group of Grunts and Jackals. The grenade slammed into the torso of a Grunt then combusted, causing its Methane tank to rupture and chain-react. The entire small area went up like fireworks as one by one, the other grunts were swallowed up by the bombs on their backs. The Marines pulled back a step and took cover behind the rocks as the plasma splattered all over the zone.

“Keep moving up Katana! Don’t fall behind!” The Lieutenant called out as he saw the squad pause to avoid the explosives.

“Copy that LT! Move K-T!” Katana’s Sergeant, Backland called over the channe.

“We got tangos, 12-15. Drop ‘em!” A corporal from the left, Saber’s Riflemen head, barked at the Privates to redirect their fire.

“Tango! Left flank! Wait-- Tango plus six, we got a squad to the left!” Another Private responded.

“Ariel! This is Sword 3-1. We’re getting pinned, requesting CAS!” Sergeant Holist called over the radio, throwing a red flare into the center of the Covenant forces on their forward-left that were starting to pin them.

“Roger that 3-1, spinning up the cannons.” The Sparrowhawk rotated to the right from its hovering position above Furrow and the SPARTAN could hear the cannons starting to rumble.

As the CAS began, Furrow flicked the side of his rifle and lifted it to his shoulder. With a stomp, Furrow stepped around the rock he stood behind and sprinted forward. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the Sparrowhawk and Saber cleared the flank. Furrow waved the Marines on him forward before firing, piercing the skulls of two Blue armored Elites. Using his motion tracker, he caught sight of movement on his front right. He pulled his knife free and stepped around a tall stone, then ducked immediately as an Energy Sword burned the air just over his helmet.

A low growl came from Furrow as he shoulder barraged the Maroon armored Alien, forcing it back onto its heels and backwards into the open. Shields shattered from the impact, the Elite was vulnerable to the follow-up of fire from the Marines behind him. It roared loudly and tried to lunge for Furrow, but the stopping power behind the four Rifles peppering the Elite forced it down, blood pouring out from beneath its armor.

“Move Marines! We’re almost there!” The Platoon’s Lieutenant ordered, and it made Furrow look up. They truly were getting closer. Looking behind himself, he saw another three platoons already coming towards them, but there was a massive gap in between them and himself.

“Come on SPARTAN.” The LT patted Furrow on the back to get his attention. The LT spoke straight to him, not by the COM.
“I need you up front.” The Marine looked into Furrow’s eyes with high expectations and a smirk.

“Copy that LT.” Nodding, Furrow looked to his side as a plasma grenade raced towards him and the Lieutenant.
“Move!” Furrow pulled the Marine out of the way and stepped back.

The grenade landed and stuck to the rocks at their feet, giving off a high-pitched beep as the main fuse was ignited. Thinking quick, Furrow grabbed the rock the grenade was stuck to and threw it back towards the Covenant Elite that threw it. The rock-grenade made it halfway to the Elite before it exploded into a bright blue. Furrow lifted his rifle and took a deep breath, stabilizing the weapon. A half-second passed until the small cloud where the explosion went off cleared, and the Elite stood exposed. Pulling the trigger twice, Furrow dropped the Alien.

“Bastard!” The Lieutenant yelled, getting to a knee, rifle first.

Replacing the empty clip, Furrow reloaded his sniper then pushed it onto his back, letting the magnetic plates catch and hold the gun. Pulling from his hip holsters, Furrow drew out his M6G Magnums and started to sprint through the line.

“Ariel, cover me.” Furrow spoke to the Pilot as the craft began to rotate after finishing its previous strafing run.

“Roger, SPARTAN.” The Sparrowhawk lowered and spun around, bringing its cannons to bare as Furrow raced forward, heading straight towards the silver armored Ultra in the rear that was directing the Covenant Forces. With Sword on his tail, the SPARTAN moved fast and viciously.