The Nebula Flying (IC)

[kartoffelfogel]

www.-WEBSITE LINK NOT PERMITTED!-.com/gallery/Chronicler-of-Mahar/HaloRPGpics/battleofnebulaflying.bmp[/img]

CNV Rising Hope
SEARCH PATTERN AROUND NEBULA
NEAREST 111 TAURI SYSTEM





The light was a peculiarity.

The glowing arc of gas and infant stars shined brilliantly—the whole ensemble shone literally with the light of a dozen suns. The majesty of the display had drawn the attention of many—including the heretics who now spread themselves across it.

Despite their sins and for all their faults, Humans could still comprehend beauty, the Shipmaster thought. When the Covenant came to this region of space in their war against the heretics, they had found small science vessels and stations surrounding the nebula, studying and cataloging the anomalies and wonders it held.

Djath ‘Gradaree swept his gaze across the star-strewn nebula. It had been difficult to find the source of the signals—but with perseverance, they had. The credit for finding the obscure human stronghold would go to the Rising Hope, along with the glory. There was always glory to be found.

The Humans had named the gas cloud the Nebula Flying. An apt name—it showed that although the Humans were ignorant and immoral, they were not stupid. He grimaced. A stupid enemy would be an easy enemy. No such luck.

The Nebula Flying looked from the outside like a dark gas cloud, a cloud that obscured all light—and all signals. But once the outer layer of stellar dust was punctured, the inner beauty of a stellar nursery shone bright. But the cloud held other secrets—for not only was the Nebula Flying a home to science vessels, but it was also a shelter for human warships.

Long-distance patrols had reported the consistent disappearance of ships they were chasing. For the longest time, even ordinary freighters had somehow eluded the Holy Covenant. No longer. They had found the station humans called Fort Greely, and the eight warships it sheltered. Gone were the months of fruitless searching. Now, it was time for war.

Djath turned to his Master of Communications, Major Yrun ‘Haidaree. He gave a gesture to call his attention, and then intoned a command. “Major, can we signal out to the rest of the searchers?”

The Major turned his head. “Aih.” He answered, using the peculiar slang dialect of Templar’s Rest, which he had somehow picked up during their recent Hunt.

“We can signal, but the Humans are sure to pick up on it as well. They have a mountain of sensory equipment on their main station, and if we are to signal loud enough to pierce the gas clouds, they will certainly hear as well.”

Djath gave a thoughtful growl in his throat. His vessel, the CNV Rising Hope, was fast and well-armed, even for a Corvette. It could handle itself long enough for reinforcements.

“So be it. Make the signal—if the heretic station or the warships that surround it pursue us, let them feel the wrath of the Forerunners.”

‘Haidaree waved his hand of the complex mesh of holo-glyphs on his control panel.

The Major raised his head again. “The signal is sent.”

He had scarcely said those words when suddenly his panel broke out into a flurry of flashes and beeps.

“That was fast.” Behind him, the Sub-Commander Sran ‘Mantakree quietly murmured those words.

“Aih.” The Master of Communications replied. “From both sides. Two Human Frigates have detached from the station, and we are even now being hailed by the other search vessels.”

“Instruct the other search vessels to use glyph-text only. I’ve no patience for static-strewn voice hails.”

“Complying.” ‘Haidaree answered, waving his hand in a complex pattern over his panel once more. Consequently, the main viewscreen replaced the glorious image of the Nebula Flying with a window flaring with glyphs.

CNV PURVEYOR OF SANCTITY RESPONDING

Flashed one message.

CNV SEEKER OF JUSTICE RESPONDING

Flashed another. But the one that caught Shipmaster Djath ‘Gradaree’s eye the most was the longest one:

CNV SACROSANCT RESPONDING, SIGNALING ALL VESSELS ATTACHED TO SEARCH DUTY FOR WARBAND FORMATION

The Sacrosanct was the cornerstone of this operation. ‘Gradaree was glad the signal reached out that far. With the whole force of the search party behind them, the Humans would be forced to contend with seven vessels.

Oh, it was a good time for war.


OOC: Duffle, Seraphim, you may post about your ships rendezvousing with the Rising Hope. If you are a UNSC ship captain, you may post about responding to a distress beacon from Fort Greely. Another post from the UNSC perspective is forthcoming. No fighting until said post is posted. No PVP until I say so.

[seraphim333]

Another day and there was still no sign of their prey.

Shipmaster Plout ‘Dvacee and his weary crew aboard the CNV Sacrosanct had been on patrol duty of the aptly named Nebula Flying for the past many days, and without much luck. Several vessels belonging to the Holy Covenant Empire had been dispatched near the 111 Tauri System to intercept reported human activity.

Even though he and his crew should feel honored to further their holy war against the humans, Plout still felt as if his services were being wasted on a small task. He had hoped to be placed upon a more active battlefield; at the very least, he wanted to be involved in more seemingly important matters. However, it was not Plout’s place to question orders; you do as you are commanded.

Although it was his assigned task to patrol the nebula, his officers were handling the situation excellently to the point that Plout felt as if he was unnecessary. Due to this fact, he let his mind wander, to dream of glory and honor on future warzones. At the very least, his crew deserved to be really tested in the heat of battle, not be stuck with mundane patrol duties…

“We are receiving a transmission from the Rising Hope. Shipmaster, she has found the human stronghold. They are requesting that all ships patrolling the sector to regroup with her, just past the gas cloud. Orders?” Major Vkam ‘Thuldee, the Master of Communication aboard the Sacrosanct, reported with a hint of excitement at the prospect of action of any kind.

The thrill of finally achieving their previously thought pointless task was palpable. Plout eased out of his chair and started barking orders to his crew, “Transmit a response, order all patrolling warships in the sector to rendezvous with the Rising Hope to assume a Warband formation. Plot a course for the nebula, repulsor engines to maximum, I want the Sacrosanct at the meeting point an hour ago.”

“Yes shipmaster,” Minor Uld ‘Sakamee, Master of the Helm and chief navigator of the destroyer, responded. He began manipulating the glyphs at his control station to alter to navigation vectors of the warship. The ship’s engines responded and began propelling the Sacrosanct into the gas cloud of the Nebula Flying…

Some time later, the ship had made its way into the nebula, its sensors unable to penetrate the outer gas cloud. However, once within, the detection instruments were able to get a detailed survey of the ship’s surroundings. The Rising Hope was at the rendezvous point, with the remaining ships yet to arrive.

Plout ‘Dvacee was pleased to see some friendly forces in the area. They had been without outside contact for sometime. “Get me a secure line to the Rising Hope; I do not want any unwanted eavesdroppers on our conversation,” Plout ordered. He was not familiar with the corvette or its shipmaster, but Plout had the feeling that before long, they would become brothers in arms. He awaited for both the shipmaster’s reply and the arriving patrol vessels to arrive.

[Dufflepud]

"Recieving message, shipmaster," called out Atna, Tehlu's master of communications. Quickly standing, Tehlu growled in exitement. Finally, after all of this wretched waiting!

"Put it up on the main viewscreen," he ordered hurridly. A messege appeared, sent by the corvette, Rising Hope. It read,

"Human stronghold has been found, Jump to current position."

"Major," called out Tehlu, "Take us there."

"Yes field master," he replied, and a slipspace rupture opened before them, a silent vortex that lit up the dark void of space with an eerie glow. The trip took only a couple of minutes, and upon reaching the detination, Tehlu was greeted by a beautiful nebula dotted with stars. Oppening communications, Tehlu spoke into his communicator,

"Fieldmaster Djath, I am glad to fight with you once more. The CNV Seeker of Justice is ready for battle, brother."

Turning to his weapons master, Tehlu spoke,

"Korona, divert power from engines to shields, lasers, and torpedoes. Ready the energy projector, but to not charge it fully."

Korona responded with a nod, and Tehlu, quite envigorated, directed the ship himself into line alongside the smaller, but effective corvette.

[kartoffelfogel]

www.-WEBSITE LINK NOT PERMITTED!-.com/gallery/Chronicler-of-Mahar/HaloRPGpics/fortgreely.bmp[/img]

NEBULA FLYING
111 TAURI SYSTEM
UNSC DEEP RESEARCH AND REPAIR STATION FORT GREELY

Rear Admiral Menach was not having a good day.

The vessels he commanded were suffering from plasma damage exacerbated by the nebula's local gasses, the scientists were grumbling about the military "takeover" (like they had ever known what a true takeover was like) and there Covenant were nosing in a very frightening way around the nebula.

The Covenant had been searching for Fort Greely for about a few months now. They'd tried the usual fruitless search patterns, completely missing the Fort for the longest time. But in recent weeks, the Covenant had shifted their pattern... it was like the way a cat would pretend to miss or ignore a mouse hiding in the bushes, only to sneak in closer--for the kill.

He sighed, and rested the datapad that he'd been clenching on his desk. He rubbed his temples. This was not a good day. No, it was simply not.

He'd just about resigned himself to getting back to work, when suddenly he heard panicked footsteps in the hallway outside. He suddenly had a sinking feeling. He felt like his heart dropped to his stomach and bounced back up into his throat.

The doorway slid open, and a frantic orderly burst in.

"Admiral Menach!" he gasped.

Menach was already standing.

"Covenant?"

"Yes, sir." The aide's eyes were bugging out in fear. Menach made a mental note to appear more stolid and reassuring.

The orderly continued, blabbing out the words in a stream.

"Fleet signal strength, sir. Hunting call. Reverberating, sir, came out loud and clear on the sensory apparati, even though the scientists say they're breaking down. It sounded like a whale, sir, one of the whales screaming or singing--"

The poor boy was hysterical. Menach strode out from behind his desk and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Soldier, shut up and soldier!" He gave the boy a rough shake. "Now, talk to me! Fill me in while we head to the bridge."

The boy seemed dazed for a while, and then shook his head and gave a trembling salute.

"Sir yes sir! We've identified the signal as originating from a Covenant Corvette out in the secondary cloud layer. The Corvette is currently retreating, but we're hearing slipspace murmurs coming from nearly all directions."

They were striding down the hallway now--well, Menach was swaggering, and the orderly was running.

"All seven of the identified search vessels are converging, sir. Our own automated distress signal has been relayed. Reinforcements are bound to be coming, sir."

The hallway to the bridge reared around the corner.

"The captains of the defense contingent are ready, sir. They await your orders. The other ships are in transit, arriving within the hour."

The rear admiral burst onto the bridge. The place was in chaos--but unlike the orderly, it was a professional chaos. An orderly chaos.

He opened his mouth and began to bellow.

"All right! Battle stations! Code red, all stations, all outposts, all ships! Everything, damnit!"

"Send a message to the Sins of the Sons and the Valtieri. Tell them I want that Corvette dust! That'll learn them to squeal on us. Snitches get stitches!"

[kartoffelfogel]

CNV Purveyor of Sanctity

Fiira was having the time of her life.

Her hands swept across the control panel, and the images in her Master of the Helm's HUD swirled, creating a kaleidoscopic effect when conjoined with the Nebula Flying's already eclectic imagery.

"We've jumped as close as we can to the Rising Hope's coordinates, Shipmaster."

Behind her, she heard her Shipmaster, the swordsman Sandrin 'Hedrathai, answer in his usual arrogant tones.

"Congratulations, Minor." The Shipmaster said, always using her rather demeaning field rank rather than her given (albeit female) name, or her position as a bridge officer. His comment also reeked of sarcasm... or was it honest congratulation? She had just put them alarmingly close to the nebula's outer gas clouds without any damage to the ship.

"But keep in mind, this is what I expect of you for all your tasks." So much for that idea.

"Now, 'Kirvoree! Quick, patch me through to the Rising Hope and... what was that other ship we were meant to be patrolling with? The Leaker of Refuse?"

"The Seeker of Justice, Shipmaster, as you very well know." The Master of Communications and Detection calmly corrected Shipmaster 'Hedrathai. He was the one member of the crew that was neither intimidated by or worshipful of the Shipmaster.

"Very well. Begin the message."

"Beginning message." Hsadr 'Kirvoree was always in a state of professional calm. He was the one person on the ship who simply did not care that Fiira was a female, and only cared about her often-overlooked piloting capability.

A single rise-fall-rise chord rang through the bridge.

Shipmaster 'Hedrathai clicked his mandibles.

"Shipmasters of the CNVs Rising Hope and Seeker of Justice.

This is Shipmaster Sandrin 'Hedrathai--" Fiira hated how he stressed the last syllable of his last name. It reeked of arrogance. If only the poncy fellow wasn't such a genius at swordsmanship. "--of the CNV Purveyor of Sanctity. We are currently at the edge of the Nebula Flying. We will utilize this location for warband formation, as per standing commands."

Hsadr 'Kirvoree flashed his left hand across a glyph on his control panel. The glyph must have appeared on the Shipmaster's HUD, as she suddenly saw him tense in surprise.

"Rising Hope, we are detecting two human vessels in pursuit. You are leading them directly toward us--"

Suddenly, the gruff tones of what must be the Rising Hope's Shipmaster.

"Ready your weapons, 'Hedrathai. We are about to have a battle on our hands."

The Shipmaster fell back on his chair and began barking out orders.

Fiira flew into action, anticipating the Shipmaster's command even before it came. She quickly brought the Purveyor around so that it presented an oblique angle of attack to the Human Frigates.

Suddenly, on her display, she saw a beautiful Corvette leap out of the nebula in a cloud of dark gasses, swirling with brilliant pink streaks from the center of the nebula.

Behind it, two dark Human Frigates blotted out the stars where they passed.

She barely heard the Shipmaster's command.

"FIRE!"


OOC: Duffle, Seraphim, you may post about owning some Frigates.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

"Caitlin ready all weapons, warm up our archers, prime our SHIVA's... oh is that MAC charged yet?" Lydia demanded in an almost deadly cold voice.

"MAC charged to one hundred percent, warming archers and priming SHIVA's" Caitlin answerd in a soothed tone.

"The UNSCS Ares followed us into slip space shortly after our departure." Reported Guine as she blinked into existence. "They should arrive virtualy the same time we exit slip space. Shall I transmit burn vectors for the nearest Covenant ship? Possibly the command ship?" Asked guine, thinking ahead as always.

"Mmmmm... yes. Send burn victors for the largest meanest looking ship Guine.... We should be able to catch them with their pants down." Said Lydia, responding with a slight smile. "ETA to Fort Greely?" Lydia asked, her heart skipping a beat.. only five seconds left.

"It looks like four seconds Vaptin you might want to hold onto something." Stated Guine as the hull groaned and creaked, shakily making it's way from slip space. Lydia though would always remain calm, she had been jumping for years, she no longer got realy sick from the transission.

"Get those bastards on my holo table...." Growled Lydia as purple and blue blips all flashing green popped up on the holo table, fort greely past a layer of clouds that slightly distorted the holo table.

"Guine prepare to fire upon the one the others seem to be converting on.. it seems that they are focusing on the two frigates chasing that one.." She mentioned, pointing to the two frigate blips by one of the red blips. "Hold until the Ares gets here and we shall unleash hell."

[Wax™]

Captain Jonathon 'Ricket' Michaels
UNSCS Ares, Slip space

"Athena, what's the status of out MAC guns" Jonathon said casually to Athena before exiting his seat to walk over to a holo-table by the centre of his bridge, Athena then poped up on a holo-tank attached to the corner closest to him.

"Sir... MAC Gun's are at 100%" She replied.

"What about our Archers"

"Archer missiles are ready to fire Sir... Though I do not think they will be neccesary for the initial attack Sir?"

"Alright... Archer missiles are ready to fire Sir, is all I needed to hear Athena" Jonathon then saw as Athena used her initiative to bring up all the covenant ships and UNSC frigates on the holo-table.

"Sir... We exit slip space in four... Three... Two... One"

Jonathon turned around just in time to see nothing but black, be turned into a series of covenant ships and stars, he looked furthur out of the window and saw the other UNSC ship ready to fire.

"Athena... sync your self with that ship and fire the MAC cannons when they do... Ensign Hendricks... Stabalize us out of slip-space... Lieutenant Smith... Set up a constant line of communications between me and that other ship"

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: Which ship are you firing at? The CNV Sacrosanct and the Seeker of Justice haven't yet arrived, because Seraphim and Duffle are taking their time.

That leaves you with fighting the CNV Rising Hope and the CNV Purveyor of Sanctity, neither of which is a command ship.

Damnit, sorry, but this has to be an all OOC post. I don't have time to post a full UNSC response.


OOC 2: The Return Of The OOC: Alright. Real post ahead.



NEBULA FLYING
111 TAURI SYSTEM
UNSC DEEP RESEARCH AND REPAIR STATION FORT GREELY

A swift series of orders, an emphatic gesture or two.

Rear Admiral Menach was now fully in command mode. He was brisk, scathing, and yet the most reassuring thing his subordinates had ever know. Admiral Menach was decisive, and he never broke under any form of pressure, save the pressure of paperwork.

"Get me a line to UNSCS Fire Tear and the Ares. Get them to the coreward gas cloud immediately! The Valtieri needs back up, and I'll be damned if I'm letting the Covenant get away with trashing the Sins of the Sons."

His order were followed with the whipcrack efficiency he had long since beaten into his staff.

He took a deep breath.

"Attention Captains of the UNSCS Ares and Fire Tear. This is Rear Admiral Sel Menach."

"We have engaged a Covenant war party en route to our position. We're lucky as hell our reinforcements showed up before theirs did, but we're still pretty screwed."

"We've already lost one frigate to those damned Covies, and the remaining one is falling apart. Get your ships out there now!"

"Look, chances are, we're going to lose this one if we don't have a miracle. But I plan to give the Covies a fight they won't forget."

God.Sel Menach though to himself. We really need a miracle now.

[Wax™]

(OOC: Can we have Marine Personnel onboard our ships to handle the boarding partys? NPC of course? Otherwise we would be good as dead)

(OOC 2: BTW THE COLE PROTOCOLE LISTED IS THE REAL ONE)

"Attention Captains of the UNSCS Ares and Fire Tear. This is Rear Admiral Sel Menach."

"We have engaged a Covenant war party en route to our position. We're lucky as hell our reinforcements showed up before theirs did, but we're still pretty screwed."

"We've already lost one frigate to those damned Covies, and the remaining one is falling apart. Get your ships out there now!"

"Look, chances are, we're going to lose this one if we don't have a miracle. But I plan to give the Covies a fight they won't forget."

Captain Jonathon listened to the transmission by Rear Admiral Sel Menach, and focused on the two covenant ships that appeared on the holo-table his was standing over, the UNSCS Ares and Fire Tear were still a considerable amount of distance away from the covenant vessels, Jonathon pushed off the holo-table and over to the navigation controles.

"Ensign Hendricks put us on a new heading zero-zero-zero by three-one-five" Jonathon spoke calmly to the young Ensign before moving back over to the Command Chair and placing himself back on it.

"Aye Captain" Hendricks replied before punching in the code for the Ares course change, once he was finished the UNSCS Ares smoothly and swiftly moved up ward above the UNSCS Fire Tear to get level with the remaining UNSC Frigate and the covenant ships.

"Alright Ensign bring us to zero-zero-zero by zero-four-five then to zero-one-five by zero-zero-zero then sabalise... Lieutenant Wilson... Charge MAC Gun's and prime one of the Shiva's and prepair a fireing solution, Athena help prepare that"

There was a flurry of 'Aye Sir's' as Jonathon gave his commands, Hendricsk punched in the commands into his console once more and the UNSCS Ares smoothly leveled itself again on it's previouse bearing it then smoothly and swiftly drifted starboard to face one of the covenant vessels (CNV Rising Hope)

"Athena bring up The Cole Protocole on my screen please"

"Aye Sir" Athena quickly responded, it took a moment before The Cole Protocole flashed up upon Jonathon's view screen, he did not do anything, he did not even hit ENTER, he simply left it up for insurance.

United Nations Space Command Emergency Priority
Order 098831A-A
Encryption Code: Red
Public Key: file/first light/
From: UNSC/NAVCOM Fleet H. T. Ward
To: ALL UNSC PERSONNEL
Subject: General Order 098831A-1 ("The Cole Protocol")
Classification: RESTRICTED (BGX Directive)

The Cole Protocol

To safeguard the Inner Colonies and Earth, all UNSC vessels or stations must not be captured with intact navigation databases that may lead Covenant forces to human civilian population centres.
If any Covenant forces are detected:
1. Activate selective purge of databases on all shipbased and planetary data networks.
2. Initiate triple-screen check to ensure all data has been erased and all backups neutralized.
3. Execute viral data scavengers. (Download from UNSCTTP://EPWW:COLEPROTOCOL/Virtualscav/fbr.091)
4. If retreating from Covenant forces, all ships must enter Slipstream space with randomized vectors NOT directed toward Earth, the Inner Colonies, or any other human population centre.
5. In case of imminent capture by Covenant forces, all UNSC ships MUST self-destruct.

Violation of this directive will be considered an act of TREASON, and pursuant to UNSC Military Law Articles JAG 845-P and JAG 7556-L, such violations are punishable by life imprisonment or execution.
/end fire/
Press ENTER if you understand these orders.

"Communications Officer Lieutenant Smith.... Could you please get SIERRA - 009 Silas up here please? ON THE DOUBLE!" Jonathon rose his voice for the last part, not even he knew why.

"Aye Sir" Smith responded easily and without hesitation before activating the ship-wide COM system.

"Could SIERRA - 009 Please report to Captain Jonathon on the bridge ASAP... Thank you" Smith always used his manners, he was such a momma's boy.

"Lieutenant Wilson what is the status on your MAC gun's"

"Sir both MAC Cannons are reading 100% and are green across the board... We are ready to fire Sir" Wilson replied before turning in her chair to look at Jonathon who was simply sitting there, Jonathon turned to Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Goodwin and nodded Wilson then turned her head to the Executive Officer.

"Fire the MAC's Lieutenant" Goodwin order Wilson before looking up out the main view window.

Wilson turned around and fire both MAC gun's at the covenant ship (CNV Rising Hope) the hull and inside of the UNSCS Ares rumbled ans russled as the MAC guns fired, two light projectiles soared towards the covenant ship at a huge amount of velocity, hopefully but also most likley, the first MAC would take down the shields and the second would cut through it like a hot knife through butter, Jonathon waited patiently as the MAC rounds soared through space.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Captain Lydia Adelle Morgan
Bridge of the UNSCS Fire Tear
Intercepting Covenant Battle Group

"Attention Captains of the UNSCS Ares and Fire Tear. This is Rear Admiral Sel Menach."

"We have engaged a Covenant war party en route to our position. We're lucky as hell our reinforcements showed up before theirs did, but we're still pretty screwed."

"We've already lost one frigate to those damned Covies, and the remaining one is falling apart. Get your ships out there now!"

"Look, chances are, we're going to lose this one if we don't have a miracle. But I plan to give the Covies a fight they won't forget."

Lydia let out a large sigh as the transmission echoed along the bridge. "Patch a transmission directly to the control room of Fort Greely Butch.." She ordered, speaking directly to her communications officer Butch.

"Yes Ma'am." Butch responded while his quick and nimble fingers pounded at the keys in his station. "Patch secured.. speak away."

"This is Captain Lydia Adelle Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear, we are moving to intercept Covenant forces en route to Greely." She stated with a quick nod toward Guine, who was now up on her hollow table. Her nod was returned and the UNSCS Fire tear lurched forward, following the UNSCS Ares in the vibrant void of space. "Is this fight going to be held until the last 'man' standing? Keep in mind that the UNSC still needs the Ares and it's section three ONI personnel on board intact." She continued, hinting toward the strategic importance of the safe evacuation of the Ares if attacked. "If she is crippled the Fire Tear will dispatch Pelican crews to gather life boats, pelicans, and the possible stray cryo-tube, bring them back to the Tear which will then jump into a random point in slip space. If that is alright with you and the Covenant allow... Admiral." She used this as her finisher, hoping to get across the importance of the survival of the Tear and her Allie.

While awaiting her response she moved toward the hollow table, watching the two cruisers travel toward their damsel in distress. "We are in range for effective use of the MAC canon." Reported Caitlin, the operations officer. "The UNSC Ares has fired it's first payload toward the nearest Covenant corvette."

"Excellent, Guine, save our MAC for the rest, have Archer pods 1-20 fire 20 missiles each toward the corvette the Ares Fired upon." Lydia ordered, knowing that she did not have the fire power of the newer cruisers and would not do much help is she waisted her MAC now on an already about to be crippled, if they were lucky, corvette. The entire ship shuddered, as it released it's small salvo of 400 missiles. Lydia hoped to further the damage that the second MAC would hopefully cause, the missiles should reach the hull of the corvette by the time the second MAC as done it's damage.

"Guine put Coal Protocol on stand-by. If any of the covenant attempt to board I want all of our data banks wiped clean of all information. They will receive nothing from us."

"Troy tell our Claws that it is time to deploy, give them strict orders to intercept any if not all attempting boarding parties. If we are able to cripple their vessels they will most likely try to compromise us from the inside. Prep all 800 marines and 200 ODST for possible boarding attempts. I want everyone on this ship at red alert, be ready for anything." Lydia ordered, waiting for the payloads to reach their designated targets. She hoped.. or more likely prayed for this to go off without a hitch.

[kartoffelfogel]

OOC: Damnit! Why are both of you guys attacking the Rising Hope? Why don't you pick on someone your own size?

CNV Rising Hope

A brilliant blaze; a sudden, complete absence of noise.

A peaceful haise; a loss of plans and ploys.

Shipmaster Djath 'Gradaree hit the ceiling of the ship hard.

His shields flickered, but took the strain of the impact. His less-shielded subordinates were less lucky.

He was the first to regain his footing, but by the time he had looked up, the sirens were screaming, and glyphs flashed red.

"Sub-Commander!" He roared. "Report!"

Ultra Sran 'Mantakree did not seem badly affected by the sudden cataclysm.

"A human Destroyer, sir, off our port stern. Double-tap MAC blast."

Succinctly put, 'Gradaree thought. But it was bad news.

"Only one of the MACs struck us?"

The Sub-Commander nodded, the red lights glinting off his silver armor. "Indeed, Shipmaster. Our shields have been sapped, but no direct structural damage has yet been received, but that may change. Sensors indicate that another vessel is on course to intercept, a Frigate if I am not mistaken, and is currently firing missiles--"

"What!?!" Djath gaped. They were unshielded, and under attack!

Yrun 'Haidaree, Master of Communications, clawed his way to his post. "He's correct, Shipmaster! Missiles due to strike in two minutes!"

The Shipmaster wasted no time.

"Get all three Seraph Choirs airborne! I want one choir to each vessel, and have Third Choir on boarding pod intercept!" He bellowed at his Sub-Commander.

"Major 'Haidaree! How many of our pulse lasers are operational?"

The words came in a babble. "Enough to decrease missile payload by 60%. The remainder is enough to destroy bow, aft and stern tertiary decks and--"

"Enough! The Gods will see us through. Our place in this fight is not yet over! We--"

Suddenly, a bright shaft of light streamed across the viewscreens.

Another peculiar silence swept across the deck, followed by a low vibration that shook Djath's mandibles.

"What was that?" He asked.

The comm burst to life.

"This is Shipmaster Sandrin 'Hedrathai. That was an Energy Projector blast, aimed at that pestilential Cruiser. We'll buy you enough time to flee."

Flee?

The impudence.

We will still fight.

OOC: Boarding is not yet available, close in on Covie ships first.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009 (Silas)

111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying

UNSC Ares

Silas felt the cruiser quake beneath his feet. So… despite recently emerging from slipspace they were already firing the MACs? That could only mean one thing. He hurriedly continued to the bridge.

In the brief time he’d been in-system, the Spartan barely had a chance to enjoy the short-lived peace. It just figured that after deciding to explore the planet Albert’s city of Glasgow and meet with the captain of the Ares, the enemy happened to show up. He had barely rode halfway down to the planet in a Pelican when the pilot received some kind of distressing news by the sound of it. When they finally touched down, instead of disembarking passengers, people waiting on the ground actually boarded the dropship. It was the crew of the Ares who went planetside earlier, including the Captain himself. Michaels even took a seat directly across from Silas and never knew it due to the ONI recon armor the incognito Spartan was wearing. All Silas got to see of the planet was a glimpse of the cityscape as the rear hatch closed. So much for that outing.

Upon returning to the ship, he immediately double-timed it back to the off-limits corridor that served as Gold Team’s current home. The ONI technicians there helped suit him back up in his battle-scarred MJOLNIR armor just in case. It was a wise decision – barely a few minutes afterwords he received a summons to the bridge over the ship’s intercom. He made his way there on the double.

The armored super-soldier stepped onto the bridge of the Ares amidst the controlled chaos of a battle. Even as he walked past bustling officers and crewmen, his mind was automatically absorbing any tactical information his eyes passed over. There were two alien vessels on the holo table, Corvette-class if he wasn’t mistaken. There was sync data onscreen between another UNSC ship and communiqués from something called Fort Greely, which Silas assumed must be a nearby station. And finally, a transcript of the Cole Protocol was displayed on the Captain’s terminal. It didn’t take an analyst to tell things were getting intense.

Towering at least a head above the other men on the bridge, the Spartan made a beeline for the Captain and raised his hand in salute. He spoke in a hardened voice that was calm, confident, and somewhat stoic.

“Captain Michaels, Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN zero-zero-nine reporting as ordered, sir!”

Even as he spoke, the alert Spartan noticed a peculiar movement on the holo table. One of the Covenant ships was rotating to face it's belly towords the Ares. Even though their role was typically on the ground, the SPARTAN IIs were trained in all aspects of warfare, including a competent knowledge of naval combat. He knew that the same weapon the Covenant used to glass planets was also employed in ship-to-ship engagements. Even a glancing blow from a weapon like that could be devastating. But the maneuver was a dead giveaway, and it left the firing ship vulnerable.

"Sir," Silas said quickly. They likely only had seconds to react. "That enemy vessel appears to be assuming a firing position with its energy projector. A MAC shot to that area could produce crippling damage. Ours are spent, but what about the Fire Tear? If they shoot as the weapon discharges, they could catch it with it's shields down!"

If the Captain could alert the Fire Tear soon enough, she could counter-attack while the Ares evades. With luck, perhaps the enemy could be destroyed with this decisive blow.

[Wax™]

Jonathon watched as his two MAC rounds soared through the sky at the covenant corvette and smiled as one of the MAC rounds hit the corvette, he turned his head as SPARTAN - 009, Silas Jonathon smiled and then faced back forward with his hands linked behind his back.

"Ah SPAR---" He stopped as he heard Silas begin to speak, he then swiveled around and moved over to the Holo-table to observer the SPARTAN-II's stratergy over the Holo-table.

"Sir.... That enemy vessel appears to be assuming a firing position with its energy projector. A MAC shot to that area could produce crippling damage. Ours are spent, but what about the Fire Tear? If they shoot as the weapon discharges, they could catch it with it's shields down!"

"Jesus Christ... Silas well done!" Jonathon said quickly almost fumbling his words before he ran over to the communications desk and pressed a button opening up communications between the UNSCS Ares and Fire Tear.

"Captain Morgan! This is Jonathon of the Ares! I need you to focus your MAC Cannon at the belly of that Covenant corvette rolling over... It is about to fire it's main weapon, take it out!" Jonathon said in a hurry before looking to Ensign Hendricks and pointing his right index finger.

"Ensign! Prepair to fire the emergency thrusters on the starboard side of the ship, fire as soon as the Fire Tear's MAC gun goes off or when the covenant corvette fires it's main weapon"

"Aye Sir"

"Everyone hold onto something" Jonathon yelled before sitting himself down in the Command chair and holding on, waiting for the emergency thrusters to fire once the MAC or energy projector discharges, Jonathon closed his eyes and felt a cold sweat run down his neck and back, if the UNSC Ares was lost SPARTAN Gold Team's equipment would most likley be lost in the hands of the covenant along with a large number of ONI personnel, Jonathon opened his eyes and lifted a hand to wipe some sweat off his forehead, at that time the emergency thrusters fired and Jonathon was pushed with force to the right his ribs slamming against the right arm of his chair, and half his body flailing off the side, he quickly reajusted himself feeling a bruise against his ribs already.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Captain Lydia Adelle Morgan
Bridge of the UNSCS Fire Tear
Sending a Strike to Kill

Lydia watched as one of the two MAC rounds from the UNSCS Ares brought down the shields of the first corvette, brining it's shields down to nothing. A smile played across her lips as the small black blips of her 400 archer missiles neared that very same corvette, ready to deliver damage upon the covenant vessel. That same vessel launched a choir of seraphs toward the Tear and the Ares, she would deploy her claws to end this. Her smile quickly faded though, as a covenant frigate moved to intercept the Ares...

"Radiation off of the frigate Captain! It's going to fire it's energ-" Guine began, but was cut off as Lydia spoke up, almost having to shout over her voice.


"Guine message the UNSCS Valtieri, see if they can give any support to the UNSCS Ares before she gets her ass kicked..." Ordered Lydia, keeping her ship in a reserved stance until she could find an opening to fire her MAC canon.

"Pathcing comunications through.." Muttered Guine as her voice quickly faded into sub space chatter. " This is the UNSCS Fire Tear..." Guine began, sending an urgent message to the frigate for assistance.

Suddenly with a crackle of comms over the ships bridge a rushed voice rang out,
"Captain Morgan! This is Jonathon of the Ares! I need you to focus your MAC Cannon at the belly of that Covenant corvette rolling over... It is about to fire it's main weapon, take it out!" It was the captain of the fire teapleadinf for assistance, it was a well thought out plan aswelll, this was the miracle the admiral had been hoping for.

"Guine fir out mack toward-!" Began Lydia but was inturrupted by Guine, for time was of the essence.

"Already on it." Guine anounced as the ship shuddered. Hurtling a 600 ton slug traveling at a fraction of the speed of light toward the frigate that wa s finishing preperations to fire. The MAC tore through the bright colored void toward the frigate, it should reach the frigate only moments after it fired it's laser toward the Ares. The slug nearing the ship as it finaly fired it's weapon, was this miracle actualy coming to fruition?

" Remember Captain the Seraphs have left the corvette and a choir is heading towards us." Warned Guine, not sounding impressed with that being the only thing they got in return.

"Excellent! Troy, deploy our claws now! Keep them close to us. Caitlin, warm up our MLA's, if those bastards get past our claws they will have a second form of hell to pay." Ordered Lydia as two 'ayes' sounded over the bridge. They already had a very high chance of fending off this attack. Hopefully they would be able to take out the two covenant vessels qiuckly before any other reinforcements arrived.


"....Guine.. ask if the Ares has any Long swords they can deploy to aid ours... once they are able to stabilize." Lydia asked, wondering if the Ares would pull through.

"Aye Captain." Replied Guine, returning her voice to sub space chatter. Lydia's violet eyed gaze kept on the tatical pad, her own 400 missiles traveled toward the un sheilded Corvette, while a MAC barreled toward the frigate.

Lieutenant Commander Nita Benson
LongSword Interceptor, Claw One
Interception of Seraph Choir

Nita Benson's brown eyes scanned the hanger one last time as the voice of the Executive Officer, second in command of the UNSCS Fire Tear rang out to order all of the six long sword interceptors to launch and defend against a choir of Seraph. After their sudden jump into slip space the ships long swords had been moved to their designated exit points, ready to defend. "All claws activate your thrusters and prime your explosives. I want all rotary canons warmed up and ready to unleash whips of lead against those covie bastards." Nita ordered as the roar of the six longswords engines blocked out any outside noise that could be heard in the hanger. Before they knew it all six claws had been plunged into the bright and silent cloud layers of the nebula, an unfamiliar change to the usual blackness they have faced before.

"All claws form up on me!" Nita shouted through her coms as she pulled back on the yoke to stabilize herself. All five remaining claws formed up on Nita into a simple escort formation, sticking close to the hull and the MLA guns of the UNSCS Fire Tear.

As the six formidable space-superiority craft awaited the arrival of their targets. Nita had a few moments to take the battle in. Sparsely placed strategic missiles heading toward the covie corvette glowed twinkled dimly as it neared its target while a MAC barreled toward the frigate that engaged the Ares. This might be a fight they could actually win. She was not one to make assumptions, anything could happen of course, in the last second two covenant carriers could exit slip space and kill them all.

"Ma'am here the come!" Shouted Nita's Co-pilots as the seraphs neared.

"Alright claws... ENGAGE!" She shouted through the coms, the rotary canons belonging to the six long sword interceptors silently fired into life, sending a wave of lead toward the shields of the nearing seraphs. Some shields blinking out of existence as maybe one of the Seraphs burst into molten heap of green flame. The small flight of longswords soon pulled from escort formation, though keeping close to the ship, to engage the choir of Seraph. At around this time the Fire Tear's MLA's fired to life aswell, sending hot cylinders of lead toward the Seraphs as Long Sword and Seraph alike moved along the hull of the Tear.

Dr. Christine Anderson
Medical Bay of the UNSCS Fire Tear

"Be prepared for wounded!" Christine shouted across the Bay, her voice echoing off the white stained titanium plating. She was not completely prepared for a battle so quickly after she had been able to rest. She had only been about to leave to the ground of Albert, but had been kept in the medical bay as the Captain raced back up to jump into slip space.

Few injured marines layed on cots in rooms of the medical bay, knowing they would soon be moved out to hallways to accommodate other far off worse men. She was ready for anything, though she was unsure of the fate of the marines she would soon be treating.

[kuran]

Captain Daniel Yakamura reread the message as it scrolled across his screen for the hundredth time, as if reading it once more would reveal some new information, some tactical insight. But of course, the message was the same as the last nintey nine times he'd read it.

They had just jumped back into slipspace, responding to the distress call that was scrolling across Daniel's screen. They hadn't been in the Tauri system more than twenty minutes before the call had reached them. They had barely even completed their full post-jump check. But they had jumped out nonetheless.

Glancing at the slipspace exit countdown clock, he stood and began pacing slowly. "Dawn," he said, addressing the AI who's image sat in it's holotank nearby,"Give me an all-ship channel."

"Channel open Captain."Came the response. He nodded and paused for a moment before speaking. "This is the captain," he spoke, knowing that everyone on the ship could hear him."Moments ago, this ship received a distress call from Fort Greely, a station within a Nebula. It is under attack by Covenant forces, strength and disposition unknown. We have responded, along with several others, to this call, and are currently en route, ETA..."

He paused, checked the clock, and hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Seventeen minutes. This is to be our first engagement with me as your Captain. Many of you are no doubt uncertain about me, my ability to get you home alive. All I ask is that every man and woman on this ship gives it their all. I know I will. Yakamura out."

He nodded towards Dawn's holotank, and the link cut off. Looking around at his crew, he smiled faintly. They were all smiling at him.

"Prepare for battle."


-----

The momentary lurch of exiting slipspace, the flare of light suddenly being restored, and they had arrived. "Full system scan Dawn, and activate your defensive subroutines. Ensign Cressley, charge the MAC gun and MEAC turrets. Three-quarters speed."

He received affirmatives, and surveyed the system on the tactical display that dominated the centre of the bride. "Hmm....Lieutenant Shizuka, give me a hailing channel for all UNSC forces in the area."

After a moment, the comms officer nodded,"You have hailing sir." He cleared his throat, still watching the tactical display. "This is Captain Yakamura of the UNSCS Foxhound, responding to a distress call from Fort Greely. We are manouvering to provide support to the station itself. Foxhound out."

"Dawn, bring us to heading zero-four-five by zero-seven-three. Move to provide fire support to the station, and alert the Pleican crews to prepare their birds, we may need to evacuate personnel from the fort."

He watched the arrows representing the various ships in the area, in particular the Covenant vessels. There was a lot of firepower here...

The Foxhound sped towards the station.

((OOC: Just to confirm, how many Covenant ships are there?))

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009 (Silas)

111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying

UNSC Ares, the bridge

Suddenly, an abrupt ringing noise caught Silas’s attention. He quickly identified the origin of the sound; it was coming from… his leg?

He reached into the soft case strapped to his left thigh. To his honest surprise, he pulled out something he had not realized was in there – a tactical data tablet. For a moment he was confused… usually he made a point of keeping all his load-bearing gear empty prior to a mission. He realized that one of the ONI technicians must have slipped the tacpad in there when they were doing maintenance on his armor earlier. And now, the thing clearly wanted his attention…

“Excuse me, Captain,” Silas said. He then retreated to a corner of the bridge and examined the device. Its outward appearance was sleek and black, and it featured a touch screen surface that displayed only a curious symbol.

The Spartan’s analytical mind identified the intricate design as “Metatron’s Cube”, a pattern of 13 interconnected circles associated with sacred geometry and Archangel Metatron, the scribe of God mentioned in apocryphal texts. There were many hidden meanings attributed to the symbol, which immediately reinforced Silas’s suspicions that ONI was behind this. Cryptic, mysterious stuff like this was just their style.

There was only one way to discover what this was all about. Silas affixed the tacpad to his left forearm, which latched on with a firm snap. He then touched the symbol on the screen, and waited.

//LOADING…//
//ACCESSING UNSCDF_ TRANSCOM…//
//CLEARANCE CODE VERIFIED…//
//CONNECTING TO HOST 0665BIFRONS…//
//BURST TRANSMITION ENABLED…//
//DECRYPTING…//
//DECRYPTING…//

[hollowsaber]

((OOC: I c wut u did thar Commando….))

MIL-AI-0665-Bifrons 111 Tauri System, Planet Albert UNKNOWN LOCATION

Bifrons was continuing to read through the profile of Silas, when he was notified of the connection being opened. The first thing he did was look at the location of the receiver. What he read brought questions to his components, and made him think. The SPARTAN was… in Space? The location of the connection was a little weird, especially since he was told that all of Gold team would be ON the Planet. Seems like something had changed. After taking a closer look at the information flowing into the UNSC Starships that were in the area; something did.
Either way, Bifrons had gotten the connection he needed.

He traced a file on the UNSC Ares, Silas’ location, and let his system pull it off ONI’s database while he himself, secured the connection with the soldier. Bifrons figured someone somewhere would try to crack the signal. He pulled a monitor program up to make sure that wouldn't happen. Security was key, and Bifrons had been apart of Section III long enough to know that. The monitor program beeped to Bifrons, letting him know that the signal had been encrypted successfully.

Bifrons waved his hand to the system and opened a voice-channel, allowing himself to speak through the tablet’s weak speakers. He didn't like those things, but it was the only way he could get the soldier at the time.

“Hello SPARTAN-009... Or Silas.” Bifrons bowed slightly to the SPARTAN, even though the soldier couldn’t see him. Bifrons always found it a respectable thing to do in old human writings.

“I am 0665-Bifrons, a Smart-AI sent to this system by ONI Sector-III to assist you, and the rest of SPARTAN Team GOLD in anyway I can. I have been placed into the main computer database of the Planet’s digital grid, giving me access to majority of this System‘s databases and information. I have not been able to connect with the others yet, but I can see you are on the UNSC Ares, and in a bit of a pinch. Is there any way I can be of assistance? I have note here that there is another recon group in the system made up of the Destroyer UNSCS Sirens Kiss and the twin Frigates Dawnstar and Rocking Rusher.” Bifrons sent the file to the tablet, forcing it to open onto the screen to show the SPARTAN 3D models of the ships, as well as small outlines of the trio’s armaments.

“They are currently on the opposite side of the system, but they could possibly come around and catch the Covenant in the side of their force. I can also alert any other surrounding UNSC forces in the area if necessary.” Bifrons pulled up ONI’s records of the system, and began to search for any ships that could be in the direct vicinity. Though the chance of that was slim, it was still worth trying.

[kartoffelfogel]

NEBULA FLYING
111 TAURI SYSTEM
UNSC DEEP RESEARCH AND REPAIR STATION FORT GREELY


"We're winning, sir!" The voice of the aide, trembling with relief, sounded awfully young.

"We may have gotten two small ships to retreat, but there are more coming--"

"Admiral! Slipspace whispers! A LOT of them!"

"Damn it. Case in point. Alright, give me numbers, commandant!"

Rear Admiral Menach swung about to fixate the commandant with his full glare. The soldier gave him a brief glance, eyes widened with fear, and then swiftly began speaking in the rushed monotone all frightened veterans used.

"Four vessels are of light-to-medium tonnage, probably Frigates and Destroyers. I have two other blots... likely two large skirmish groups of Corvettes."

Admiral Menach raised an eyebrow. "Skirmish Corvettes? On a strike force?"

"I don't see what else they could--oh no. Oh no. Admiral, two Covenant CCS-class Battlecruisers en route."

A sinking feeling welled up in his stomach.

We can match them. We have two cruisers on our side, and reinforcements on their way. We can match them...

However, he knew in his hear that they were doomed. One Battlecruiser, their ships could handle. But two... two was too much.

"Get me on a comm signal to the Fire Tear and Ares." he commanded. The bridge went silent, but the signature beeeeep of the comm did not arrive.

"A new ship arrived also. The UNSCS Foxhound, sir. Should I patch the comm through to them too?"

"Yes! Now hurry up!"

The beep came.

"Attention all UNSC vessels. Congratulations on driving off those two pesky ships."

"Now BOHICA. (that's a marine term, standing for Bend Over Here It Comes Again) We've got six Covenant ships inbound. Four of them are lightweights."

"The other two are Battlecruisers."

God, I'm telling them we're going to die.

"We can't retreat. We have nowhere to retreat to. The Covenant are swarming everywhere in the Tauri System."

"We must fight here. We must kill here. We must die here."

"Now, I must tell you this. We are dead."

"Our friends, our families--we'll never see them again. We're just outgunned. We've got three ships against six that comprise twice our tonnage. This station is good for nothing but gas research. We're crippled here, having to fight in the nebula. Nothing short of a shipful of SPARTANs can save us."

"We are going to lose. Lose this battle, lose this nebula and lose our lives."

"But we aren't going to lose this war."


"I just told you all you're going to lose. All you have to give up. Your friends, your families. I told you all you were going to lose. All you were going to live for."

"But think--anything worth living for is worth dying for."

"And is sure as hell is worth killing for."

"Now show the Covenant just how much we mean that!"

The comm shut off.

Admiral Menach looked around his bridge.

"Make damn sure somebody quotes me on all that."

OOC: Alrighty. Another post forthcoming. In the meantime, have your characters (especially Silas and Bifrons) formulate a plan to SPARTAN-ize one of the Battlecruisers and kill the rest.

This is going to be awesome.

[kuran]

Captain Daniel Yakamura
Bridge, UNSCS Foxhound

Daniel raised an eyebrow as the message ended. "I don't know about you," he addressed the bridge crew casually,"But I have no intention of dying today. What I do intend, however, is to knock out some Covenant. What do you say?"

He got a resounding "YES SIR!" from the crew.

Smiling, Daniel resumed his study of the tactical display. "Comms, Hail that ship." He indicated one of the cruisers, which showed as the UNSCS Aries. After a moment tapping keys on her board, Communication Shizuka gave him a nod.

"Attention,Aries,This is the Foxhound,requesting fire support. We are moving to evacuate the station but we will be vulnerable while we are in the process of evacuating."

Turning back to his crew, he addressed the AI. "Dawn, bring us around to zero-five-three by zero-zero-two, reduce speed to one quarter. Alert the Pelicans to launch and commence evacuation protocol Alpha-five."

"Aye sir," replied the AI. The ship turned slowly, and it's speed noticeably slowed. The ship's compliment of Pelicans, two of them, sped past the view-port and streaked for the station.

"And alert all hands, prepare for full attack."

[Wax™]

Captain Jonathon 'Ricket' Michaels
Bridge, UNSCS Ares
111 TAURI SYSTEM, around Fort Greely

"Can you beleive that sack of shit" Jonathon said with a slight amount of rage before he approached the navigations station, he bent down to look at the controls before standing up and moving over to the Command chair, he sat himself down.

"Sir!" Lieutenant Smith yelled from the Communications terminal "We are being hailed from the UNSCS Foxhound"

"Proceed" Jonathon said as he waited for communications to establish between the two ships.

"Attention, Ares, This is the Foxhound, requesting fire support. We are moving to evacuate the station but we will be vulnerable while we are in the process of evacuating."

Jonathon leant forward to press a button on his controles, a familiar beep was heard as communications was connected between the UNSCS Ares and the UNSCS Foxhound "Captain Yakamura this is Captain Michaels of the UNSCS Ares affirmative on your last... The Ares will take up a defensive position around your ship and Fort Greely"

Once he finished speaking to the UNSCS Foxhound he turned his head to Ensign Hendricks the navigations officer for the UNSCS Ares.

"Hendricks... Take us on a heading zero-five-three by zero-zero-two and follow the UNSCS Foxhound, match her speed and stabilize once she he halted" Jonathon sighed to himself before turning back to his controles, he pressed another button on the console, to establish communications throughout the ship.

"All hands on the UNSCS Ares... This is your Captain speaking... All hands that werent previously at battle-stations make your way there... All Marine and ODST Personnel I want you all on full alert and fully armed ready for boarding parties when thoes Covenant bastards come back" Jonathon took his finger off the button and pushed himself out of his seat, he moved over to the Holo-table and looked at the UNSCS Foxhound as it made it's way to Fort Greely, soon Fort Greely came into view on the holo-table as the UNSCS Ares got in range of the Fort... Jonathon looked up and saw Athena hovering over the Holo-tube connected to the table.

"Athena could you please get me the file of Captain Daniel Yakamura" Jonathon paused to look around the bridge for the SPARTAN as he did so Athena spoke.

"Yes Sir... If you wish I could get you the service record for the UNSCS Foxhound and the files for all the bridge crew and put it on your personal screen?"

"Yes please do..." Jonathon paused as he spotted Silas, he moved his hands behind his back and gripped his right wrist with his left hand "SIERRA 009... I beleive you heard what the Admiral said... I am going to need you for when thoes boarding parties fly in." Jonathon let go of his wrist and lifted his right hand up to place it on the SPARTAN's left shoulder.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009 (Silas)

111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying

Bridge of the Ares

“Attention all UNSC vessels. Congratulations on driving off those two pesky ships. Now BOHICA. We've got six Covenant ships inbound. Four of them are lightweights. The other two are Battlecruisers. We can't retreat. We have nowhere to retreat to. The Covenant are swarming everywhere in the Tauri System. We must fight here. We must kill here. We must die here. Now, I must tell you this. We are dead. Our friends, our families--we'll never see them again. We're just outgunned. We've got three ships against six that comprise twice our tonnage. This station is good for nothing but gas research. We're crippled here, having to fight in the nebula. Nothing short of a shipful of SPARTANs can save us. We are going to lose. Lose this battle, lose this nebula and lose our lives. But we aren't going to lose this war. I just told you all you're going to lose. All you have to give up. Your friends, your families. I told you all you were going to lose. All you were going to live for. But think--anything worth living for is worth dying for. And is sure as hell is worth killing for. Now show the Covenant just how much we mean that!"

The voice of Rear Admiral Menach from Fort Greely resounded through the bridge, stunning everyone into silence as they listened to him announce their imminent doom. Silas honestly couldn’t tell if the Admiral was being deliberately fatalistic in an attempt to spur everyone on, or if the man was simply the Navy’s biggest killjoy.

Either way, the instant the transmission ended the Ares became a flurry of activity once again as Jonathon put everyone to work. Good to see at least the Captain hadn’t given up yet. Silas returned his attention to his tacpad.

“Bifrons, this is SPARTAN zero-zero-nine. Glad to have you, it looks like we’ll need all the help we can get. Have those three ships reinforce us ASAP, as well as any others you can reach.”

Just then, Silas was approached by the Captain, who put a comradely hand upon his shoulder. “SIERRA 009... I believe you heard what the Admiral said... I am going to need you for when those boarding parties fly in.”

“Understood sir,” the Spartan replied.

Boarding parties. That got Silas thinking... With the Siren’s recon group, it would be a 6-on-6 engagement, not including any additional reinforcements Bifrons might get a hold of later or if those two Covenant ships come back. The numbers were relatively equal, but those two Battlecruisers tipped the scale of firepower in the enemy’s favor. What could be done to even those odds?

Silas moved to the holo table and leaned on it with both hands, peering deeply at the display. Even though the enemy ships haven’t arrived yet, he stared intently at the digital representation of space as if trying to gaze at them through slipspace. What to do, what to do? There was always a way out, that much he had determined from a lifetime of war. He just had to apply that philosophy to the current situation. The Battlecruisers were the key, that much was certain. The UNSC combined forces could take on the four medium-tonnage ships. It would be a lot easier if they didn’t have to fight the Battlecruisers too.

How to kill a Battlecruiser without fighting it? Or possibly two…?

“With respect, Captain…” Silas said without looking away from the holo table. “On second thought, I don’t think I can help repel boarding parties…”

The Spartan then turned to face his golden visor directly at Jonathan.

“I’ll be too busy taking out those cruisers for you.”

The Admiral got just one thing wrong in his message - he didn't realize that he did have a SPARTAN to save them. It wasn't a shipful, but it could make all the differance.

[hollowsaber]

MIL-AI-0665 Bifrons Under Bracknell's Command Center Connected to Silas's TACPAD on the Ares

"Understood. I'll have the Siren come as quickly as she can." Bifrons switched connections from the TACPAD and opened up one with the UNSCS Siren's Kiss. The Captain had already been made aware of the battle, and was making his way to the fight, yet Bifrons had overheard the situation with the Battlecruisers...

UNSCS Siren's Kiss 111 Tauri System Heading for The Nebula Flying

"Captain, I would like to ask that you adjust your course." Bifrons said, his voice coming in through the speakers on the command deck.

"What do you mean 'adjust my course'? Are we, or are we not going to reinforce the ships out by Greenly?" Captain Ellington leaned forward in his chair at the sound of the AI and stared into the distance of Space where the fighting was happening.

"Please adjust your course to heading zero-three-six by two-zero-zero." Bifrons called, opening a map onto the front view so the Captain could see what he was asking.

"But that kind of adjustment... put's us... over the fight... Why do we want to be above them?!" Ellington growled and stood up as Siren's voice interviened.

"Sir, I think this would be smart. We would be out of sight and the Covenant ships wouldn't be able to fire on us unless they adjusted... which would take to much time." Siren's soft voice reassured the Captain and he stared, looking at the virtual map of the path Bifrons was sending him on.

Bastard AIs... Damn things never made sense unless they were needed... Samuel made a fist and looked over the entire map again, then at where the movement would put them. He nodded in approval have a few hard thinking seconds.

"Alright." The Captain walked up till he was directly in front of the map and looked through it to where his allies were.

"Adjust our heading; one-three-six by two-zero-zero." Samuel didn't trust any AI besides Siren, and if she was okay with it, then so was he.

"Roger, adjusting heading. One-three-six...-" The ship vibrated as the engines began to fire up.
"-by two-zero-zero." The stars in the distance moved slowly as the Destroyer perked upwards in the empty space.

"Alert the other frigates of the new heading. Tell them we need to move. We don't have long." The Captain turned and returned to his chair.

MIL-AI-0665 Bifrons Under Bracknell's Command Center Connected to Silas's TACPAD on the Ares

"Silas, the Siren and her group are on their way. They will be here in approximately 20 minutes. I suggest any plan you are thinking of, be executed with haste." Bifrons looked at where the battle was heading, and his core ran cold as he began to think of what the outcome would be unless the SPARTAN had a plan... and one that would work.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Captain Lydia Adelle Moragn
Bridge of the UNSCS Fire Tear
".. And that was the good news.."

“Attention all UNSC vessels. Congratulations on driving off those two pesky ships. Now BOHICA. We've got six Covenant ships inbound. Four of them are lightweights. The other two are Battlecruisers. We can't retreat. We have nowhere to retreat to. The Covenant are swarming everywhere in the Tauri System. We must fight here. We must kill here. We must die here. Now, I must tell you this. We are dead. Our friends, our families--we'll never see them again. We're just outgunned. We've got three ships against six that comprise twice our tonnage. This station is good for nothing but gas research. We're crippled here, having to fight in the nebula. Nothing short of a shipful of SPARTANs can save us. We are going to lose. Lose this battle, lose this nebula and lose our lives. But we aren't going to lose this war. I just told you all you're going to lose. All you have to give up. Your friends, your families. I told you all you were going to lose. All you were going to live for. But think--anything worth living for is worth dying for. And is sure as hell is worth killing for. Now show the Covenant just how much we mean that!"

Boomed the rear admirals voice all along the ship bridge, echoing off of the titanium walls and collecting in the heads of all the crew mates. Some of them began to adjust in a paniced fashion.. they were about to die? What the hell type of speech is he trying to pull here? Were most of the collective thoughts of the crew. Though the paniced thoughts and quickly whispering voices were shut out of existance by the boomingly confident voice of Lydia, standing firm at the view screen as big as anything.

"Ha! Apparantly these fools have not tangled with the stuborness of myself and the Tear!" She cried out, in the calmest voice ever. "This fight is hardly over!" She cried out again, enough to send the ships AI Guinievere to pop into existance on the holo table. Of course their situation did not look good, though Lydia knew something they did not. The Ares had been the holding center of many ONI.. and where ever ONI went with the front lines.. theyw ere usualy acompanied by one or even two spartans. "Guine! Take us back to Fort Greely, assume defensive positions. If those blasted Seraphs follow they will be multen plasma and metal in the void!" She called out, her voice firmer then ever. Firm enough for Guine to begin work imideatly, the old ship lurching, to rejoin the Ares as it regoupred with the Fort.

"Troy! Call back our Claws keep them closer then ever, prepare ALL ODST and Marine alike to prepare for iminate boarding..." She ordered, the small green flares of the long sword interceptors hugging tightly to the Tear's hull.

"Aye.." Troy responded, clearly affected by her words vs. the admirals.

"Butch! Patch a communication directly for the Ares." Lydia orderd, recieveing a nod from Butch.

"Your patched through.." He muttered, affected by the speeches aswell.

"This is the Captain of the Fire Tear, I understand that you hold Longswords by the means of your ships invetory. I will need you to launch them imeidiatly to help my own defend the Station.. and us at all costs. If you do not mind, I would like to allow my squadren leader to lead your swords into battle.. I'm sure you have other things to worry about." She muttered, hinting toward the possibility of Spartans.

"Right.." She said, not talking to the Captain anymore. She simply moved to sit in her chair, staring steadily at the Tactical holo table. "Now it begins.." She mumbled through gritted teath.

[Wax™]

Jonathon smiled at the SPARTAN, and watched him as he turned away and moved over to the Holo-table and leaned over it, it looked as if the SPARTAN was stareing at the Covenant ships that were yet to come, but there were non at the current moment, Jonathon stepped over to the Spartan and stood atleast half a meter away as he inspected the Holo-table, all that was visible on there was the UNSCS Ares, Foxhound and Fire Tear along with Fort Greely, Jonathon was interrupted from his thoughts as the SPARTAN spoke.

“With respect, Captain…” The SPARTAN Said without taking his eyes off the partially blank holo-table. “On second thought, I don’t think I can help repel boarding parties…”

Silas paused to turn his head towards Jonathon, Jonathon seemingly doing the same thing as he paused himself.

“I’ll be too busy taking out those cruisers for you.”

"Son..." Jonathon was interrupted by the sound of Captain Lydia Adelle Moragn's voice.

"This is the Captain of the Fire Tear, I understand that you hold Longswords by the means of your ships invetory. I will need you to launch them imeidiatly to help my own defend the Station.. and us at all costs. If you do not mind, I would like to allow my squadren leader to lead your swords into battle.. I'm sure you have other things to worry about."

Jonathon turned his head to Athena who was already hovering over a Holo-Tank. "Athena... Could you please take care of that"

"Aye Sir" Athena sounded off as she got to work.

"Captain Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear, Affirmative on your last Captain... All longsword pilots are being alerted as we speak, all 24 Longswords will regroup with your's once ready"

Jonathon watched Athena for a small amount of time before turning his head back to the SPARTAN and his hand on his shoulder once more before turning his head to the Holo-Table. "Son... Just how do you plan on getting yourself aboad thoes cruisers... And infact... How do you plan on taking out two by yourself?" Jonathon had a hint of concern in his voice, he did not want to lose this SPARTAN, not for the sake of the ship's protection but for the sake of the war, his thoughts were interrupted once more but by Athena.

"SPARTAN zero-zero-niner... There may be a slight chance you will only need to eliminate one covenant battlecruiser... For you see... As a covenant ship decelerates and comes out of slipspace, it uses up all it's power, and for a short amount of time become imobilized... If we have enough time the UNSCS Ares could fire it's duel MAC System and destroy the covenant battlecruiser while it is recharging it's shields." Once Athena was finished she moved herself over the Holo-table so as to approach the SPARTAN, her reflection glowing off his visor.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009 (Silas)

111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying

Bridge of the Ares

“Copy that, Athena.” Silas replied to the AI. She had a point. If it was possible to take out one of the Battlecruisers early, then by all means it was worth it. But ships like that are tough to kill, and their Elite commanders were formidable tacticians. They would obviously realize that UNSC forces would be waiting for them to arrive, so they’d probably exit slipspace well out of combat range and let their shields boot up before advancing on Greely. At least that’s what he would do if he were them.

The Spartan then addressed his concerned Captain. “Getting onboard will be the tricky part.”

Using the controls on the side of the holo table, Silas accessed the ship’s tactical database and brought up a schematic of a CCS-class Battlecruiser. A ghostly representation of the ship rose above the table.

“My plan has three stages. Phase one – infiltrate one of the cruisers. I say “infiltrate” because the only way this can work is as a stealth mission. We learned from Lethe that it would take an entire army to invade a Covenant capital ship by force. We don’t have that kind of manpower, nor the time. But if I can get inside undetected, that’s a different story.”

With the tap of a button, Silas activated the digital ship’s energy shields. A glowing forcefield of light enveloped the hologram.

“From the ballistics data we’ve managed to gather from encounters with this class of vessel, we’ve determined that it’s energy shields are for the most part “skintight” against the majority of the hull, much like the shielding on their Elite infantry. However…”

The display enlarged to show the bottom of the craft.



“…The shield extends so as to fully encase all this beneath the ship like a bubble. This is the key to phase one. I can’t simply fly straight into a hanger because that would let everybody onboard know I’m there. But I CAN use standard EVA equipment to climb on the exterior of the hull and find a hanger I can sneak into instead. Down here at the bottom of the ship, where the shields are the furthest away from the hull, would be the safest place to do that.”

He had no idea what would happen to him if he touched the ship’s energy shields. At worst, they might fry him like a bug. Technically, there might be enough room for a human-sized object to squeeze between the shields and the hull all across the entire ship, but he honestly wasn’t sure, so he wasn’t going to risk it. And besides, most of the hanger bays were located down by the bottom anyway. He’d be damned if he had to spend all day crawling across the exterior of a hostile vessel for a random maintenance hatch or something.

“So that’s how I’ll get in,” Silas continued. “As for how to get me there, I propose we sortie two waves of Longswords. The first wave will be loaded up with bombs and will execute a strafing run on the point defense laser turrets near my infiltration point. That will give me the best chance of making it to the ship without getting shot down. The second wave will pose as an escort for the first wave, but one of them will be transporting me. It will get as close as it can and deploy me onto the hull. Of course, we will obviously need to drop their shields beforehand. A few MAC rounds as the Longswords approach the target vessel should suffice.”

Silas paused. He wanted gauge the Captain’s reaction to his plan so far before he explained the rest. True, it was a little out of the box. But it was exactly this type of operation that SPARTANs were known for, and covert ops like this were Silas’ specialty.

[Wax™]

Captain Jonathon 'Ricket' Michaels
111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying
Bridge of the UNSCS Ares

Jonathon listened to the plan, that the SPARTAN Laid out infront of him on the holo-table, Jonathon was not sure if this plan was simply made up on the spot or if SEIRRA-009 Actually thought this over, Jonathon leaned in closley as Silas described where he would enter the large Covenant craft, once the SPARTAN Stopped Jonathon just felt like slapping him across the face, though that would not happen now would it he simply said.

"Huh..." He paused for a moment and studied the mans plan a bit furthur.

"Athena alert all Longswords to hold their positions in the hangers, and prep them for a striking run..." Jonathon paused to look at Silas "Son... You are one crazy S.O.B... Is there any more to this plan?" As Jonathon replied Athena began her broadcast out to the Longsword's.

"Attention Longsword pilots... Hold position within hangers and prepair for a striking run and SPARTAN Transportation"

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Captain Lydia Adelle Morgan
Bridge of the UNSCS Fire Tear

"Hmmm...." Came a thoughtfull sound twixt her pink.. almost purplish stained lips. Her message had just come out and she now rested in her chair. It would only be a few moments before the Covies finaly engaged them.. and with this she felt a certain calm. If she died this day.. if the Covenant capture any ONI on the UNSCS Ares... it is most likely all of humanity would be dying with her very soon. Though as she sat there in wait... nothing was happening.. no longersword exited the Ares.

"Guine... are the longswords even prepping for flight?" Lydia asked, her ever faithfull AI popping up on the holo tank next to her.

"I have no idea, wait... " Guine stopped, dissapearing into FleetCOM.

"This is the AI of the UNSCS Fire Tear, what is going on with the Ares?" Asked Guiniever, more to the AI of the Ares and the Foxhound if they knew.

"Butch.. patch a communication through to the Ares." Lydia ordered, stadnding up now. "Captain, we are still waiting for your interceptors to re-group with ours. Keep in mind that the security of this entire station depends on what cover we can provide for it." She said, a sinking feeling in her stomach.. If he planned on sending his longswords somwhere else.. they might not be able to protect the station from boarding parties or themselves from Seraph fighters.

[Wax™]

Captain Jonathon 'Ricket' Michaels
111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying
Bridge of the UNSCS Ares

"Captain, we are still waiting for your interceptors to re-group with ours. Keep in mind that the security of this entire station depends on what cover we can provide for it." Out of silence this is what appeared over the COM's, Jonathon frowned, the SPARTAN Was about to continue his plan and this was only delaying it even more, Jonathon looked at Athena the Ares' onboard 'Smart' AI.

"Explain Athena" Is all Jonathon really had to say.

"Captain Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear this is Athena, we are re-assigning our Longswords as escort ships for a striking run, we have a plan to take dow---" She was cut off by the sound of Jonathons voice.

"Morgan! This is Jonathon, we are retasking all our Longswords for a strikingrun on one of the approaching battlecruisers, we have a SPARTAN On-board, SEIRRA-ZERO-ZERO-NINER... And he has a plan..." Keeping the COM's on between the two ships he began to speak to the SPARTAN.

"Silas... Tell Captian Morgan... Exactly what you told me... And dont worry about security Morgan... The UNSCS Foxhound is evacuating staff from the platform as we speak, we will be using point-defence turrets as security"

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009 (Silas)

111 Tauri System, The Nebula Flying

Bridge of the Ares

Any irritation Silas felt as a result of the interruption was well hidden, both by his mirrored visor and his tone of voice. He felt a little uncomfortable revealing his plan over an open COM channel, even though he knew the enemy hadn’t even arrived yet. But he couldn’t refuse his Captain. “Aye, sir.”

Before he started explaining, however, he raised his forearm and spoke into his tacpad first. “Bifrons, encrypt this transmission as well as you can.” Better safe than sorry.

He wanted to get this over with quick so he could start mission prep. Captain Morgan would have to settle for the abridged version as he recapped his plan’s first phase.

“Captain Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear, this is SPARTAN zero-zero-nine. If we want to win this fight, we need to get me onboard one of the inbound CCS-class Battlecruisers. To do this, the Longswords on the Ares will be assigned with a strike mission on the target cruiser. The objective of this attack will be to neutralize as many point defense lasers near my insertion point as possible as well as to disguise the insertion itself. One of the Longswords will deploy me onto the surface of the ship so that I may then sneak inside.

“That is phase one of my operation. Phase two will be to hijack the cruiser itself. Once inside, I will use stealth to find a way to vent all atmosphere on the ship, killing everything onboard and allowing me to commandeer the vessel uncontested. Phase three, I ram my cruiser into the second cruiser and initiate self-destruct. The proximity and force of the explosion should be enough to destroy both ships. With them out of the way, our forces should have enough of an advantage to wipe out the rest of the enemy.”

Even as the words came out of his mouth, he was well aware this was much easier said than done. But if anyone could do it, it was him. And it was do this, or engage the battlecruisers in conventional combat...

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Captain Lydia Adelle Morgan
Bridge of the UNSCS Fire Tear

The incompetence!! The Idiocracy!!!! How could such a plan as bold as this even work!? Lydia thought as her transmission was answered by the ships AI.

"Captain Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear this is Athena, we are re-assigning our Longswords as escort ships for a striking run, we have a plan to take dow---" A STRAFING RUN!? She thought, the words screaming through her head. Her only way to conceal her rage was to have a white knuckled hold over the arms of her command chair. Before she could even begin to scream her head off toward the bridge of the Ares, the actual Captain chose to finish the explination.

"Morgan! This is Jonathon, we are retasking all our Longswords for a strikingrun on one of the approaching battlecruisers, we have a SPARTAN On-board, SEIRRA-ZERO-ZERO-NINER... And he has a plan..." Her grip was tightened and lessend at every word the Captain allowed to pass through his lips, he was going to risk the largest amount of Longsword they could currently muster for a plan to attack the incoming battle cruisers... with a Spartan directing the whole thing!? Her lips curled in disgust at the thought of loosing both of these assests to the Covie's.

"Silas... Tell Captian Morgan... Exactly what you told me... And dont worry about security Morgan... The UNSCS Foxhound is evacuating staff from the platform as we speak, we will be using point-defence turrets as security." He ordered, to the Spartan who must be on the bridge....

"This had better be good.. our lives depend on-" She began, but was cut off by the words of the Spartan.

“Captain Morgan of the UNSCS Fire Tear, this is SPARTAN zero-zero-nine. If we want to win this fight, we need to get me onboard one of the inbound CCS-class Battlecruisers. To do this, the Longswords on the Ares will be assigned with a strike mission on the target cruiser. The objective of this attack will be to neutralize as many point defense lasers near my insertion point as possible as well as to disguise the insertion itself. One of the Longswords will deploy me onto the surface of the ship so that I may then sneak inside...."

“That is phase one of my operation. Phase two will be to hijack the cruiser itself. Once inside, I will use stealth to find a way to vent all atmosphere on the ship, killing everything onboard and allowing me to commandeer the vessel uncontested. Phase three, I ram my cruiser into the second cruiser and initiate self-destruct. The proximity and force of the explosion should be enough to destroy both ships. With them out of the way, our forces should have enough of an advantage to wipe out the rest of the enemy.”

The Spartans plan rang around the deck, kicking up whispers among the crew of the bridge.. "This is crazy!"

"How will this ever work?"

"Better then being melted by plasma..."

Came some of the whispers and not so concealed voices of her crew. As the Spartan finished his plan, she felt something spark within her. A fire that she had not felt in all of these years of military service... was it hope? This made her even angrier... but what the hell... Eather this would be the greatest blunder in the history of the UNSC Navy.. or one of the most ingenious ways for taking out those alien bastards in the history of the UNSC Navy. Either way...it was better then dying here in the conventional way of fighting. He was right... but it did not mean she had to like it... So as the Spartan finished, Lydia spoke out through gritted teeth. "Sounds like this could seal the stamps on all of our tickets to hell.. or give us a pass to a well deserved victory.... If you require any help from my Longsword or anything else.. I will be near the station with the rest of you." She offered, her grip slowly lesoning until her hands released the arm chairs.