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The Harvest Campaign by Fleet Admiral
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The Harvest Campaign Chapter 1
Date: 14 November 2003, 2:49 AM
1000 Hours November 20, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Reach Military Complex, Planet Reach/
Fleet Rally Point Delta/
UNSC Cruiser Zeus, Flagship of Vice Admiral Preston Cole's Fleet
Vice Admiral Cole looked at his tactical board, he saw 28 ships on his board. His ship was a Yamato- class cruiser, the biggest cruiser class in the fleet. She supported 4 MAC guns, 38 Archer missile pods, 2 armories full of missiles to rearm the pods; 75 fifty- millimeter auto- cannons for point defense, 4 Shiva nuclear missiles, and 4 hangar bays.
He could not ask for a finer flagship. In his fleet were also 4 carriers, a Manhattan- class cruiser, 3 Halcyon- class cruisers, 10 destroyers, and 10 frigates. He also was to receive a 10-ship fleet with another Yamato- class cruiser. With this fleet he would go to the Harvest System and take it back from this "covenant".
"Sir, the cruiser Tyrant is hailing use from the edge of the system," Commander Hunt at the fleet comm station.
"On screen," he said.
The screen flickered, and up came a young man, he had red hair, and blue eyes. He wore a gray uniform with 2 gold stars on each collar, on his left breast was a dozen ribbons, campaign, training, and awards. He knew who it was in a second, it was Rear Admiral Shay Kennedy, the youngest man to receive admiral, and one of the most decelerated.
"Admiral Cole, Rear Admiral Kennedy reporting for duty," Kennedy said.
"Very well, come into position with the fleet and prepare to go to slipstream," Cole ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," Kennedy said.
1010 Hours November 20, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Edge of Epsilon Eridani System, Near Reach Military Complex/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy turned off the screen. "Captain Lauber, come into position with the fleet," Kennedy ordered the captain of the Tyrant.
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber said. "Helm, come into position with the fleet and prepare for the jump to slipstream."
"Aye, aye sir," Lt. Collins at helm said.
"Sending data to helm now," Lt. Freshman at navigation said.
In 30 minutes his fleet was with Admiral Cole's fleet. "Sir, communication from fleet commander to all captains and higher," Lt. Hally said.
"On screen," he ordered.
The face of Vice Admiral Cole came on screen, "All fleet commanders report to the Zeus for an officers meeting." The screen went blank.
"Commander Mayfield, get my shuttle ready," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," he replied.
He turned around and went to the turbolift at the back of the bridge and pressed the button for F deck, where hangar bay 1 was. The lift shot down; he passed in-between a spinning section and floated for a second, then hit the deck again. The lift stopped and the doors opened. He stepped out, "Admiral on deck!" a crewman yelled. All the activity stopped and all the men turned and saluted. He saluted back. "Is my shuttle ready," he asked the hangar chief.
"Yes sir," he replied.
He walked over to the shuttle, an Ensign was there, he wore a pilot insignia. He must think he is going to ferry him. "That is all right Ensign, I can fly myself," he said.
"Aye, aye sir," the Ensign said; he saluted and walked off. He walked up into the craft and closed the hatch. He sat down in the pilots seat, started up the engine, and said into the communications set, "Ready for tack off. Open hangar doors." The doors opened and he flew out toward the Zeus.
1030 Hours November 20, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Epsilon Eridani System, Fleet Rally Point Delta/
UNSC Cruiser Zeus's Hangar Bay
Admiral Kennedy's shuttle landed in the Zeus's hangar bay. The ramp opened and he walked out of the shuttle. The hangar was full of activity, he saw captains from other ships walking to the turbolift, he saw a man about his age. He wore a gray uniform with a single gold star, the rank of commodore. He knew who it was, it was Commodore Kevan Gerabagi. He had been his first officer of the first ship he had commanded. He walked up to him; he saw him and shouted, "Admiral on deck!" All the men in the hangar stopped, turned, stood at attention and saluted. He saluted back and said, "At ease."
He looked at the commodore, "Lets go to the briefing room," he said. They turned and walked together to the turbolift. They entered and pressed the button for B deck and the lift shot up.
"Sir," Gerabagi said. "It's good to see you again."
"Same here, so I hear you were given the New Jersey. How is see," Kennedy asked.
"Good sir. Sir, do you know what this is about," Gerabagi asked.
"No, but I think it has something to do with the fighting in the Harvest System. I've heard rumors."
"Well sir, if it is just another rebellion why send a force this big," the commodore asked.
"I don't know," he said.
The doors opened and they walked out, went down the hall, and into the briefing room. A lot of captains were already there and went to attention as they entered the room. "At ease," Kennedy said. They all sat. They too took their seats.
Admiral Cole entered the room, they all jumped up to attention. Following Admiral Cole was a Lt. General in the UNSC Marine Corps and a Commodore. On the commodores' chest was only one thing, the symbol for ONI, the Office of Navel Intelligence.
"Seats," Admiral Cole said. He walked to the view screen at the front of the room. "Everyone, this briefing is classified to all but your own crews." He paused, then said, "As of February 3 of this year all contact with the Harvest System was lost. The CMA," Colonial Military Administration, "sent the scout ship Argo to investigate what had happened. On April 20th the ship entered the system, sent a message stating they exited slipstream, then all contact with them was lost. In response, Fleet Command sent a battle group consisted of the destroyer Heracles, commanded by Captain Veredi," he looked over and saw Captain Veredi, "and the frigates Arabia, and Vostok. This is Harvest," the screen showed lush green fields, forest area and mountains. "This is Harvest now," the screen changed to a barren wasteland, the once lush fields were burnt, the forests were gone, and the mountains were craters. "This was what was in orbit," the screen showed an almost insect like ship with a purple blue hull.
"All 3 million lives were lost. The battle group tried to contact the alien ship in peace, but they sent this back, 'Your destruction is the will of the gods... and we are their interment.' After that the ship opened fire, the frigates were destroyed after only a few minutes, the Heracles was badly damaged and retreated. We were able to translate some of their language and found out that the call themselves the 'covenant'. As of the first of November the UNSC has been ordered to full alert. We are the fleet that is going into the Harvest System, and take it back. This is General Bauer, he will be in command of the marines going with us," he gestured to the tall grey haired man. "This is Commodore Blithe, our fleet intelligence officer," he said and looked at the small blond haired man.
The General stepped forward, "And this is Colonel Woodly, he commands the ODST's under my command." After that he stepped back.
Get back to your ships, we leave in 3 hours. They all got up and left. In 3 hours they jumped to the Harvest System.
Fleet Admiral- Post Comments
The Harvest Campaign Chapter 2
Date: 24 November 2003, 12:44 AM
0900 Hours January 5, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Slipstream Space/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy, Captain Lauber, Commander Mayfield, and Lt. Commander Flaud at tactical; had decided to wake up from cryo sleep earlier then the rest of the crew to study the vids from the first battle with the covenant in the Harvest System. He didn't want to go into battle with the covenant without knowing anything about them or their tactics.
He also wanted his staff to know just what they were up against. He paused the vid, "Intelligence believes that these blue lasers are a kind of pulse laser," he said. He pressed the button to continue the vid. It showed a MAC heavy round hit the covenant ship, a liquid silver coating covered the ship just before the rounds hit the hull. He stopped the vid again so it showed the shield, "We believe this is some kind of energy shield that will protect them from our weapons. We don't know if they can be broken through, how much damage they can take, or if they can brought down. I guess we'll find out," he said, and continued the vid.
It came to the bright red torpedoes that the alien ship fired. He paused it again, "These are some type of torpedoes made from plasma and have some kind of homing ability," he said as he shut off the view screen.
"As you can see we are dealing with an advanced species. They are more advanced than us and we don't know how many are in Harvest, but we are going to take them out," he told them.
He looked at Captain Lauber, "Captain, wake all crew members and get the ship ready to fight as soon as we exit slipstream," he ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," he said. He got up and walked out of the room.
"The rest of you get to the bridge and man your stations," he ordered.
1700 Hours January 5, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Slipstream Space, Near Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy walked onto the bridge and sat down in the command chair in front of the command console. "Report," he asked.
"All crew are awake sir and we are at combat alert alpha," Lauber said.
"Good," Kennedy said.
"Sir, we're coming out of slipstream," Lt. Hugo said.
Green distortions filled the screen and the ship entered normal space, and so did the rest of the fleet. "Sir, Admiral Cole calling all ships," Lt. Hally at the comm station said.
"Very well Lt., put him on the view screen," he ordered Hally.
"Aye, aye sir," she responded.
Admiral Cole came up on screen, "Get your ships into the positions we're sending you. We're launching scouts to scout the area, when they return we'll proceed from there. Cole out," and the screen went blank.
"Get us into position Lt.," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," he said.
2200 Hours January 5, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Fleet Rally Point Alpha, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
The fleet had held this position for the last 5 hours, all, but one of the scouting squadrons had returned.
"Admiral, the Zeus is hailing you on a private frequency," Hally reported.
"Patch it through to my ready room," Kennedy said as he got up and walked through a door leading off the bridge and into his ready room.
He sat down and turned on his computer. Admiral Cole's face came up. He saluted, "At ease," Cole said. He dropped his hand.
"Kennedy, we haven't seen Delta group since it was launched, I want you to launch a squadron of fighters to go after them," Cole said.
"Yes sir, they'll de out in 10 minutes," Kennedy said.
"Good," Cole said and the screen went off.
He got up and walked on to the bridge, "Get Charlie Squadron ready, I want them launched in 10 minutes," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber said.
***
Lt. Charles Forrest closed the ramp of his longsword fighter, and sat in the pilots' seat. His copilot Lt. JG Nick Taylor sat beside him, he was checking their missile loadout.
He put on his helmet and closed the visor. He activated his comm system, "Charlie wing report in," he said.
"Charlie leader, this is Charlie 2, we're ready to go," his second in command, LT. JG Joseph Dorman said.
"Charlie 3 is ready to kick some ass," Ensign Adam Mendoza said.
"Charlie 4 almost ready," Ensign Ryne Register said.
"Almost ready, well get your ass moving pilot, we've got a job to do!" Forrest yelled. Forrest hated Ensign Register; he was always trying to impress him in order to get a promotion. He was also cocky and arrogant, and didn't follow orders very well.
"Yes sir, we're ready sir," Register said.
"Finally," Forrest said.
After the rest of the squadron checked in they flew out of the Tyrant. After the wing was out the comm crackled and Admiral Kennedy's voice came on, "Charlie wing, you are to follow the course that scout wing Delta took, and find out what the hell happened to them. If you site covenant ships or their fleet report in immediately, and try not to engage them. That is all, Kennedy out," and the comm went off.
"Alright everyone, get in delta formation and follow the path of scout wing Delta," Forrest said.
The squadron formed up into a delta formation and moved out along the course Delta wing took. In one and a half-hour Charlie squadron found the remains of Delta wing, and sighted 6 covenant ships in the area.
"Transmit our position to the Tyrant and tell them that we have sited 10 covenant ships," Forrest told Taylor.
"Aye, aye sir," Taylor replied.
"Prepare to return to the fleet. Someone try to get closer to those covenant ships to identify them," Forrest ordered. "Do not, I repeat, do not engage the covenant ships unless fired on."
"I'm going in," Register said.
***
Register turned hid fighter and headed for the covenant ships. "Charlie 4 get back here now," Forrest ordered.
He shut off the comm system. "Sir, shouldn't we follow his orders," Flight Officer Crunrow said.
"No, I'm going to get my promotion today," he said.
"Not if we're dead," Crunrow replied.
"Start the recorder to record those ships," he ordered.
"Yes sir," Crunrow replied. "On sir, and recording."
They flew toward the massive covenant ships.
***
"Charlie 2, go in for a closer look, Register is going to get himself killed," Forrest ordered.
"Yes sir," Dorman replied.
He activated his comm again, "Charlie 4, you're getting to close to those covenant ships, evade, I say again evade," he only heard the sound of feedback in his comm. Register still had his comm off,
***
"Sir, it looks like Charlie 2 is coming in," Crunrow said.
"Oh no, your not stealing my promotion," Register said.
Then he saw a bright blue light coming toward them. He screamed and tried to turn the fighter, but it was too late. The fighter disintegrated when the beam hit.
***
Forrest yelled into the comm, "Charlie 2, do you have the data."
"Yes sir," Dorman said.
"Then get the hell out of there," he yelled.
Then, the big covenant ship in the middle launched some teardrop looking fighters from 13 hangar bays from the middle bubble on the ship.
"Let's get out of here," Forrest yelled.
***
Ensign Mendoza pulled the trigger that fired their 30-mm chain gun. The rounds hit a silver barrier just before they hit the hull. He kept holding down the trigger, the shield popped and failed. The rounds burst into the hull and the fighter exploded.
The comm crackled, "Get the hell back to the Tyrant," Forrest ordered.
"Sir, I got one, I got one," he yelled.
"Really? Well, good job Mendoza, but we've got to get back to the fleet," Forrest said.
He shut off the comm, "Damn, well let's go," he said. He turned the fighter around and joined with the rest of the wing, and returned to the Tyrant.
***
Kennedy watched the screen as the covenant ships came into view. Then he saw the fighters, they were teardrop shaped, and very maneuverable. Then he saw one explode. Cole stopped the vid.
"The huge craft that the fighters flew out of was, what we think, a carrier. The four craft around her are of a frigate class. The three over her are a destroyer class, and other two to the front and the back are of a cruiser class," Cole said.
He turned and faced everyone in the briefing room, "Get your ships ready. This will be our first fleet against fleet action with the covenant. Let's make it a victory. Good luck."
With that they all got up and went back to their ships.
Fleet Admiral- Post Comments
The Harvest Campaign Chapter 3
Date: 2 December 2003, 3:46 AM
0300 Hours January 6, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Fleet heading to Covenant Fleet, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
The UNSC Fleet had started for the covenant fleet for the last 3 hours, and the covenant were now in sight. Now it was time for the UNSC to go into the first fleet battle with the covenant.
Cole thought it was going to be a walk in the park since there were only 10 covenant ships, from the last report. He didn't like it though.
If the covenant saw us, which they did, they would call in reinforcements.
They neared the covenants last position. The covenant ships were still there, in a rough delta formation. I don't like it, he thought.
"Sir, Admiral Cole is hailing the fleet," Hally said.
"Put it on screen," Kennedy ordered.
The face of Admiral Cole came up, "All ships prepare to fire your guns, transfer them to the timers. That is all," and Cole's face went off the screen.
"What's the status of our guns," Kennedy asked.
"Guns are at 100% and ready to fire," Lt. Commander Flaud said.
They neared the covenant fleet, "The fleet is almost in range," Captain Lauber said.
Liz came up, she was the shipboard AI for the Tyrant. "Admiral, I am being sliced into," she said.
"What?!" He said.
"I think it is one of the alien ships sir," she replied.
"Get me Admiral Cole," Kennedy ordered Hally.
Admiral Cole's face came up, "Yes Kennedy," he asked.
"The covenant are slicing into our shipboard AI's systems. I think they're trying to find all the systems we control, our weapon systems, and our strengths and weaknesses," Kennedy told Cole.
Cole looked at him almost in shock then he said, "Deactivate all AI units in the fleet now," Cole ordered the fleet.
"Shut down Liz now," Kennedy ordered.
The fleet came into firing position, but since the shipboard AI's controlled the timers the ships did not fire at the same time. The MAC rounds didn't blast through the covenant shields though.
"This is Cole to all ships, prepare to fire again."
"What is the status of our MAC guns commander," Lauber asked.
"85% sir," Flaud said.
Cole's face came up on holotank 2, "Admiral Kennedy launch a Shiva at the covenant fleet," he said and went off the screen.
"Captain, launch a Shiva warhead at the covenant fleet, set detonation for 20 seconds," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," he said and walked over to the tactical station.
A nuclear warhead launched toward the covenant fleet. When it reached it exploded into a white flash. When it was gone the covenant fleet was, STILL THERE! Not one ship was gone. Then he saw the silver shields pop then flickered out.
"Contact Admiral Cole," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," Hally said.
Cole came up on screen, "Yes," he asked.
"Sir, it looks like the nuke brought down their shields," he said.
"Good, all ships fire," Cole ordered.
The UNSC ships fired, the MAC rounds tore into the covenant ships.
When it was finished only 4 covenant ships were left, then red balls of fire fired from the last covenant ships. Cole came over the fleet wide comm, "Evasive maneuvers now," he ordered.
The UNSC fleet tried to turn, but the red plasma torpedoes hit, 2 frigates and a destroyer exploded. The frigate Chicago took the last on her underside, she kept going though.
"Cole to all ships' who can fire their MAC guns to turn and fire," he yelled.
***
Lt. JG Antonio Mota flew into the bulkhead from the collision with the alien plasma weapon.
What a first assignment he thought.
"Report?!" Captain Stephen Rodriguez yelled.
"Decks P through I have been burned away sir, the fires are getting close to the reactor sir," Commander Ethan Williams, the XO reported.
"Any suggestions," Rodriguez asked.
"Sir, I think you should vent the atmosphere on all decks but the bridge," Ensign Kevin Barta, the assistant tactical officer, said.
"Do it," Rodriguez told Williams.
Aye, aye sir," Williams said. He went over to the ops. station and vented the atmosphere.
Mota got back up and sat back at his station.
"It's working sir, the fires are now out," Williams said.
"Good," Rodriguez said. "Get support teams to all decks, but the bridge to check for injuries."
Mota looked at his board, "Sir, the torpedo hit fused the MAC gun control systems and point defenses are gone," he reported.
Then the speakers came on, "Bridge, this is Sargent McDonnell, we have boarders, I repeat we, have boarders on deck C."
Then the same report came in from decks D through H.
"Contact the Zeus and tell them we're being boarded," Rodriguez ordered. "Everyone get some weapons and lets kick these boarders off.
***
Kennedy looked as the covenant boarding ships attached themselves to the Chicago. "Prepare Archer Missiles Pods A through E, lock them onto the covenant boarding craft," Kennedy ordered Flaud.
"Aye, aye sir," he replied. He typed on the keyboard and then pods A through E fired at the boarding craft.
The missiles impacted and 5 boarding craft blew into flames, but 6 more came through their debris. They swooped in and attached to the airlocks.
***
Mota handed an assault rifle to Barta with two clips. He put one into the rifle and pulled the bolt; he slipped the last one in his belt. He pulled out his standard issue M6D and pulled the top back to throw in the first bullet.
Mota did the same. "Everyone get ready to defend the bridge," Rodriguez ordered.
The comm crackled, "Captain, the covenant are at the officers mess hall on the command deck! We can't hold them, they're breaking through. AH, AH, AH!" And the comm went off.
"Get ready to defend the bridge," Rodriguez ordered.
They spread out and held they're guns up and ready. Rodriguez pressed the comm button, "Send marine reinforcements to the command deck, covenant are about to rush the bridge so send them as fast as you can," he said into it.
Ensign Barta kept his eyes on the door, then an animal of some type came through it, it had a colorful battle uniform with a mask over his face. Its feet and hands were like hoofs, it reached for a disk like gun on his belt. He didn't what for it to take it out, he pulled the trigger and the gun fired; the bullets tore into the biped alien. Some bluish blood flew out as it landed on the deck.
Then dozens started to pore in, everyone opened fire, the rounds tore through the bipeds. Mota was shooting with a vengeance. He through out his first clip and through in the second, cocked it, and started to fire again.
Then one of these little "grunts" came in with a blue purple gun with needles sticking out. It fired, the air was filled with needles. One round flew into Mota's arm, he screamed and then the round exploded and he fell to the deck into a puddle of his own blood. He held his shoulder, there was a hole in-between his shoulder and neck; he was lucky he didn't loose his arm.
Barta kept on firing, he took down the bipeds with the needle guns first then moved on. Then he ran out of ammo, he put in a new clip and started firing again. He didn't need to aim, they were poring through.
Then he ran out of ammo for his rifle. One of the "grunts" came in and aimed one of the disk like guns at him, he saw Mota's rifle and dove for it. The alien fired, a green teardrop launched at him. It hit him in the side and he landed on the deck with a black spot in his side. His hand found the rifle, he picked it up, turned, and fired. The biped fell to the ground, and the gun was out of ammo.
He through the rifle to the ground and drew his pistol, then drew Mota's; and with one in each hand he fired. Then a new alien came through the door, it had a vulture like head and held one of the disk like guns in one hand; and in the other was a large shield than glowed.
He fired, the rounds bounced off the shield, he went up to it and hit the shield with all his force, the shield popped and failed. He put the two pistols in its face and pulled the trigger.
Then he saw a biped pull and held down the trigger, the gun started to glow then he released the trigger and a huge green sphere launched and the captain. The bolt hit him square in the face, he did a flip and landed dead on the deck.
He pulled the triggers and the biped fell on the deck, dead.
Then a group of 10 marine's came onto the bridge, "All hostile forces have been killed," the Sargent told Commander Williams.
"Good, contact Admiral Cole and tell him," Williams ordered.
Barta dropped the pistols and ran to Mota's side, "Get some medics here now," he yelled.
***
The Tyrant turned to fire at the last covenant cruiser. "Ready to fire sir," Flaud told Kennedy.
"Fire," he ordered.
Four MAC rounds launched at the cruiser, the rounds blew into the hull of the massive ship. It exploded into a ball of fire.
That was the last covenant ship. "Bring Liz back on line," Kennedy ordered.
The AI came online, "Yes admiral," she asked.
"Give me the fleet damage report," he asked.
It came on screen, 5 destroyers, 8 frigates, and a Halcyon- class cruiser had been destroyed; and 7 destroyers, 10 frigates, and a carrier were disabled.
"Thank you Liz," Kennedy said, and she closed the screen.
Admiral Cole came up on screen, "All ships regroup, get repairs underway, and start looking for survivors," Cole ordered.
Fleet Admiral: Please Post Comments
The Harvest Campaign Chapter 4
Date: 24 December 2003, 9:03 PM
1100 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Front Line HQ Station, Edge of Harvest System/
UNSC Halcyon- Class Cruiser Lancer
Lt. Commander Paul Ralston stepped onto the bridge of the Lancer. He walked up to Lt. Harbison, the duty officer. "Lt. you are relieved of your watch," he said.
"Yes sir. I stand relieved," the man countered and walked of the bridge.
He stood in front of the command station. I hate not having a command chair for this ship, he thought. Well the other Halcyon's in the fleet don't have them either so I guess I can't complain.
He had been here for a year, a year! This would be the 2nd Christmas on this ship.
"Sir?"
He looked up to see a young Lt.
"Yes," he said.
"The repairs to the port side are complete," he reported.
"Get the stations cameras to put the image on my board," he ordered.
The image of the port side came into view. It had been repaired, but there was still a huge dent from where the 2 plasma torpedoes hit in their last engagement. It was not out of place though; there were more dents all over the hull of the ship, which showed her age and all the action she had been through.
"Put it back," he ordered.
The image snapped back to see the fleet. The fleet had been reinforced; more ships now made up Vice Admiral Cole's fleet. He turned back to his board and resumed his watch.
1400 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Front Line HQ Station, Edge of Harvest System
Rear Admiral Shay Kennedy walked down the corridor toward the conference room. He walked through the doors and sat down with the rest of the fleet commanders. Admiral Cole walked into the room a few minutes later.
They stood as he entered, "At ease," he said.
They all sat.
"I know that it is almost Christmas, but we still have a war to fight. So, on to today's briefing," he started. The map of the system came up, "As you already know the Covenant control over half of the Harvest System. So we need to get it back, plus we have an advantage over the Covenant this time; we just got some reinforcements. So we will attack here," he pointed to a planet on the edge of the 2 fleets' lines.
"This is the Gecko colony. It is a world the Covenant just took from us. Our fleet retreated, but we caused heavy damage to the covenant fleet. Our prowlers have discovered that the Covenant invaded the planet. We think this is something to do while there reinforcements come to glass the planet."
He turned the screen to show a tactical layout of the planet. "There are 4 million people still on that colony, the evacuation was not completed. So the fleet will go in and engage the Covenant ships their, send in the Marines to take the Covenant forces on the ground, while the fleet remains to destroy the Covenant reinforcements," he paused then said.
"Don't forget to initiate the Cole Protocol," he added.
They all got up and went back to their ships.
1600 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
Rally Point Victor, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy walked onto the bridge of his flagship. "Admiral on deck," one of the crewmen said. Everyone stood at attention and saluted.
"At ease," he said. The crew went back to their tasks.
"Ship status," he asked.
"Ship is ready to go sir," Captain Lauber reported.
"Good," he replied. "Fleet status?"
"In position and waiting for the admirals' orders," Lauber reported.
"Sir, I'm receiving orders from the flagship Zeus," Lt. Hally reported.
"On screen," Kennedy ordered.
The face of Vice Admiral Cole came on screen, "All ships in Operation Gecko jump now."
With that the fleet jumped.
2000 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
10 Minutes After Slipspace Exit, Near Gecko Colony/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
The UNSC Fleet moved toward the 3 Covenant ships. They were 2 badly damaged cruisers and a carrier.
Liz came up, "Admiral, the Zeus's AI is sending firing coordinates to the fleet," she said.
The 3 Covenant ships turned, red balls of fire started to collect; they are readying plasma torpedoes.
"Our fleet will fire in 10 seconds," Liz reported.
The plasma torpedoes launched at the UNSC ships. Then the UNSC fleet fired its MAC guns. The MAC rounds blew into the damaged cruisers and they exploded, the carrier took 3 hits and her shield flickered and popped. Four rounds hit her middle bubble and she exploded.
The plasma torpedoes found their mark, 2 frigates went up in flames as the plasma torpedoes burned into them.
"Sir, the carriers Hornet and Wasp are dropping the marines now," Hally informed him.
2055 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Alpha HQ, Gecko Colony
Lt. General Bauer looked at the map of the area, then at the reports from his scouts. "The Covenant seem to have a base camp here," he said as he pointed to an area east of them. "That is what we're going to attack. Bravo Base will converge from the north and us from the east."
A Lt. ran in, "Sorry to interrupt sir, but Bravo Base just sent us a message. They are under attack."
***
Colonel Woodly pulled the trigger of his MA5B assault rifle. The grunt fell in a puddle of its own blood.
Another blue plasma ball flew into the perimeter and detonated. If they can't stop those wraiths then Bravo Base would fall. He ran over to a scorpion tank, the driver was dead. He pulled him out and started the engine.
He turned the tank towards one of the wraiths, he aimed the 90mm gun at it. He fired, the wraith exploded. He got onto the comm, "All tanks go for those wraiths, ODST's push those covenant bastards back," he ordered.
He swung the tank around to see a large group of grunts and jackals trying to out flank his men. "Not today," he yelled.
He fired the tank's 50-cal gun into their formation. They turned and started firing at his tank. The armor won't hold for long, he thought.
He aimed the 90mm gun into the center of their formation and fired. The dead bodies flew through the air. He looked up to see a covenant banshee coming in with its rod gun hot.
He threw open the hatch and jumped out as the rod gun round blew into the tank. The banshee turned toward him. He leveled his assault rifle and fired. The rounds hit the banshee and it started to smoke. His clip ran out, as he reloaded it the banshee exploded into a ball of fire. Once he got the clip in he turned to see an ODST with a rocket launcher.
He looked around to see dead bodies all over the place, covenant and human. He turned to see a Sargent, he walked over to him. "Sargent, find the next highest rank to mine and tell him to get me a casualty report," he ordered.
"Yes sir," the Sargent replied.
***
"Sir," the Lt. said. "Bravo Base says they repelled the covenant attack and are moving out to start their attack on the Covenant base. They also say that they'll be the 'diversion' wile we attack."
"If Woodly says he's the diversion, then he took heavy losses in the covenant attack. Move out," Bauer said.
"Sir, the fleet reports covenant forces moving in system," the Lt. said.
2126 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
Near Gecko Colony, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy watched the 15 Covenant ships on his board.
"Admiral, fleet commander has ordered all ships to accelerate toward the enemy," Hally reported.
"Helm, accelerate with the rest of the fleet," Kennedy ordered. "MAC gun status?"
"MAC guns are at 100% and ready," Lt. Commander Flaud reported.
The 2 fleets raced toward each other. The Covenant Fleet readied their plasma torpedoes, while the UNSC Fleet was almost in range to fire its MAC guns.
"Sir," Liz said. "Zeus's AI is sending firing coordinates and the timer is 30 seconds."
The covenant plasma torpedoes launched from the covenant ships.
"Sir, plasma impact in 40 seconds," Lauber reported.
"MAC guns firing now," Flaud reported.
The MAC rounds launched toward the Covenant fleet. Admiral Cole's voice came over the fleet wide comm, "All ships break and attack."
"Put full power on engines, evasive maneuvers," Kennedy shouted. The Tyrant turned to try and get out of the way of the incoming plasma torpedoes. The plasma reached the UNSC fleet; the plasma blew into the ships.
One headed strait for the Zeus, the torpedo blew into the bow of the flagship.
"Helm, come to course 364.8," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir"
"Guns status," he asked.
"90% sir," Flaud reported.
The cruiser turned to face a Covenant cruiser. The Covenant ship turned to engage them as well.
Blue pulse lasers launched from the enemy cruiser and hit the Tyrant. Two red balls of fire appeared on the covenant ship, they were readying plasma torpedoes.
"Engines to 30% and detonate emergency thruster Delta," he ordered.
The thruster detonated and the ship turned. "Lock Archer missile pods A through E on target. I want them to hit when the last MAC round hits," he ordered.
Commander Flaud's hands danced across the keys, "Ready sir."
"Fire," he ordered.
The 4 MAC rounds launched toward the enemy cruiser with 150 missiles. The covenant launched their plasma torpedoes.
"Evasive, engines to full," he ordered.
The first 2 MAC rounds hit the shield, when the next one hit the shield flickered, popped, and went out. The last one blew into the nose of the cruiser, then the missiles hit; the ships hull turned white hot and the ship blew apart.
The plasma torpedoes came closer to the Tyrant. "Sound collision alarm, sound atmospheric venting alarm," Kennedy ordered.
He got up from the command chair, and held onto the brass railing. "All hand braise for impact."
The torpedoes blew into the hull and started melting it away. The bridge turned hot as the plasma burned deeper into the ship. "Vent atmosphere," he ordered.
"Venting controls... non responsive to the decks damaged," Lauber said.
"Vent the atmosphere on al the surrounding decks," he ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber said.
"Fires have been isolated and aren't spreading," Commander Mayfield reported.
"Get fire fighting teams to those decks," Kennedy ordered.
"Sir, I have a message from the Admiral," Hally said.
"Put it on," Kennedy ordered.
"All ships retreat to this position," the map showed a blue triangle closer to the planet.
"Helm, get us their as fast as possible," Kennedy ordered.
2150 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
Gecko Colony, Harvest System
General Bauer was now in position with his men. "Lt. get Colonel Woodly on the horn."
"Yes sir," the Lt. replied.
After a few seconds he handed the field comm to the General. "This is Blue Group to Red, come in. Over."
Colonel Woodly's voice came over the comm equipment, "This is Red Group, we're in position and ready to light the fire. Just tell us when. Over."
"Red Group, this is Blue; light the match. Over and out." He handed the equipment back.
***
"Red Group, this is Blue; light the match. Over and out."
"Let's go," he yelled.
What was left of his men ran or drove over the hill. The tanks fired their guns at the covenant positions, while the warthogs went into the enemy camp firing their LAAG's.
All the covenant troops turned and fired at them. The ODST's started to fall. Two tanks and a warthog blew into pieces.
"Fall back," Woodly yelled.
As they ran back up the hill he saw General Bauer and his men charge in gun blazing.
The covenant turned, confused.
"Lets hit em hard Helljumpers," Woodly yelled.
With that Red Group turned and charged back into the fight. He pulled the trigger on his MA5B rifle, grunts fell before him.
He reloaded and fired again. They forced the covenant into the middle of their camp. They surrounded them and pumped them full of lead.
When it was over, hundreds of dead covenant troops littered the ground.
***
Bauer looked at the report, 97 marines and ODST's had been killed. Not bad for all the covenant dead.
"Sir, I have the Zeus on the horn for you sir," a Lt. said.
He took the comm equipment, "This is Bauer."
"General, this is Cole," alarms and explosions filled the background. "Get your men ready for pick up. If we remain here the covenant are going to slaughter us."
"Yes sir," he shut off the comm. He got up and fired 3 shots into the air. "Get back to Alpha HQ, were evacuating. The battle in space is looking bad, so lets move," he yelled.
2210 Hours December 22, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
Near Orbit Around Gecko Colony, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
"Sir we can't hold much longer," Lauber said.
"I know Captain. MAC guns status," Kennedy asked.
"MAC guns 3 and 4 destroyed, 2 at half power, and 1 is working at 100%," Flaud reported.
"Guns charging status," he asked.
"100% and 50%," Flaud said.
"Fire," Kennedy ordered.
The two rounds launched at the covenant frigate baring down on them. The rounds blew into the covenant ship, they had all ready brought down their shields. The frigate exploded.
Ten more Covenant ships came out of slipstream. That was 20 in the last 15 minutes. They had lost almost half the ships they came in with.
"Sir, all ships report marines aboard," Hally said.
Admiral Cole came on screen, "All ships retreat."
The UNSC Fleet jumped away from the Gecko Colony.
0800 Hours December 23, 2526 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Front Line HQ Station, Edge of Harvest System
Admiral Kennedy walked into the conference room. Admiral Cole was all ready their. "Sir," he said and saluted.
"At ease," Cole said.
He dropped his arm and walked over. "You wanted to see me sir," he asked.
"Yes, it turns out that the Harvest System is not all we have to worry about. They want me to take back the two systems that border Harvest. The Lambda and Colons Systems."
"But sir," Kennedy said. "We barely have the forces to hold Harvest."
"That is what I said, but the other fleets are on other fronts fighting the Covenant. They will be sending us a few more ships, that is all they can spare."
"Yes sir," he replied.
"I will be assigning ships to you and Commodore Gerabagi. You will command the forces in the Lambda System, while Commodore Gerabagi commands the forces in the Colons System. Dismissed.
Fleet Admiral- Please Post Comments
The Harvest Campaign Chapter 5
Date: 22 March 2004, 2:12 AM
0900 Hours February 2, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Lambda System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy walked onto the bridge of the Tyrant.
"Report," he asked Captain Lauber.
"All ships are in position and are combat ready," he replied.
"Are the repair yards set up," Kennedy asked.
"Yes sir, and all refit platforms are ready to be deployed," Lauber reported.
"Very good," he replied. "Get a patrol schedule for the frigates in the fleet, and launch some scouting squadrons."
"Aye, aye sir," he replied.
***
Lt. Samuel Holcomb ran out of his quarters and toward the hangar bay. The order had just come down for scout squadrons Alpha through Gamma to deploy on scouting duty.
As he ran for the hangar bay he ran into Captain Michele Gearhart, the fighter commander for the Tyrant.
"Sir," he yelled, and saluted.
"At ease," the captain said. "Carry on."
"Aye sir," he said and ran for the hangar bay.
***
He ran up the ramp and into the Apollo- class scout fighter, and closed the ramp. He went to the seat and sat down. He started the start up sequence and put on his helmet.
He activated his squadron's comm channel, "Delta squadron report in," he said into the comm.
"This is Delta 2, start up sequence initiated and ready to find some Covenant," Lt. JG Peterson, his XO, said into the comm.
"Very well," he said.
"This is Delta 3, ready to fly."
"This is Delta 4, ready to kick some ass."
Delta's 5 through 12 checked in and then they were off. "This is the course we're to follow," he said and sent their flight path to his squadron. "Be on the look out for any Covenant ship."
1130 Hours February 2, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
Scout Wing Delta, Patrolling Sector 6, Lambda System
Nothing, so far; he wasn't exactly disappointed. His comm came to life, "Sir, there's nothing out here."
"Quite Delta 3, we'll take one more pass and then go back," he said.
"Yes sir," Delta 3 replied with a groan.
"Why do you want to get back so fast," Holcomb asked.
"The wife just had a kid," he said. "And I want to know what it is."
"Very well," Holcomb said.
"Um... sir," Delta 2 said. "I've got a signal on heading 5 mark 2."
"Can you identify it?"
"Negative sir, it's too far out," Peterson replied.
"All ships intercept that target and identify," he ordered.
He turned his fighter with his squadron and flew toward the unidentified target.
***
In 15 minutes they came into range of the target, it was a Covenant frigate, probably a scout ship for their fleet in this system.
"Report our position to Admiral Kennedy," Holcomb ordered Peterson.
"Aye, aye sir," Peterson replied.
"Sir... shouldn't we head back," Delta 3 asked.
"Yes, prepare to head back to the barn," he ordered.
"Sir, enemy fighters on an inbound vector from the frigate," Delta 2 reported.
"Damn," he replied. "Push your throttles to full, do not engage the enemy fighters unless you have too."
The squadron turned and accelerated out of the area, with the Covenant fighters in pursuit.
The enemy fighters open fired, Delta's 9 through 12 blew into flames.
"Evasive maneuvers," he ordered.
They broke formation and went into a zig zag maneuver. The Covenant fighters caught up with them.
"Sir, I have to engage," Delta 3 reported. "I've been cut off."
Delta 3 turned toward the Covenant fighters, his twin 50 mm guns firing.
The rounds blew into the shield of the lead fighter, after multiple hits its shields failed and the rounds blew into the fighter; and it exploded.
Then a pair of Anvil II missiles flew out of Delta 3's missile tubes, and flew toward the next Covenant fighter.
The Covenant pilot, seeing this, tried to evade; but was too late. The missiles hit the fighter and exploded.
When it cleared, there was nothing left of the Covenant fighter.
Delta 3 turned to head back when another enemy fighter came in; blue laser burst flew from the Covenant fighter and blew into Delta 3. He was gone.
"Every one, Delta 3 bought us some time. Let's get our asses back to the Tyrant," Holcomb said.
1530 Hours February 2, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Lambda System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
"Thank you for your report Lt.," Kennedy told Holcomb. "You're dismissed."
"Aye, aye sir," Holcomb said. He saluted, and walked out of the ready room.
***
Holcomb looked at the communication from Ensign Luis's, Delta 3's, wife. They had had a little boy just 2 ½ hours ago. He through the pad across the room and flopped down on the bed.
"How am I going to tell her," he remarked.
Fleet Admiral- Please Post Comments
Harvest Campaign Chapter 6
Date: 15 June 2004, 2:33 AM
1540 Hours February 2, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Lambda System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy looked at the video feed from the probe they sent to Delta squadron's coordinates.
He saw 18 Covenant warships; frigates, destroyers, 2 cruisers, and a carrier. That was a lot of firepower against him. He had seen what a Covenant carrier could do; they lost 12 capitol ships at the Battle of Thule in Harvest because of one Covenant carrier. Her 13 launch bays let out hundreds of fighters.
He turned away from the screen and looked at Captain Lauber, "Captain, prepare to deploy the fleet."
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber replied.
"And get Captain Gearhart to the bridge," Kennedy ordered.
***
Captain Gearhart looked at the flight roster for tomorrow when the alarms for general quarters came on.
"We are at combat alert alpha," the intercom said. "All hands to battle stations. Captain Gearhart to the bridge."
He got up, buttoned his uniform, and walked out the door toward the turbo lift.
***
Kennedy looked at the fleet as it came together, this would be a difficult battle. He was heavily out gunned, but he had orders to secure this system.
The turbo lift doors opened and Captain Gearhart walked out. He walked up the Kennedy and saluted, "Sir, Captain Gearhart reporting as ordered sir."
He saluted him back, "Captain, we are going toward the Covenant fleet in this system; and they heavily out gun us. They have a carrier with 2 cruisers, plus destroyers and frigates. We have to take out the carrier first so the fighters don't launch. So, I will be bringing the fleet in a broad formation. We will try to take out the carrier first, but if we can't then you're going to have a lot of company to deal with. Report to your fighter."
"Aye, aye sir," he said. He saluted and walked off the bridge.
1630 Hours February 2, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
In rout to Covenant fleet, Lambda System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy's fleet of 15 ships moved toward the Covenant fleet. He had 7 frigates, 6 destroyers, a carrier, and his flagship.
He had to be the one to fire first, if the Covenant fire first they will destroy his fleet.
"Sir, Covenant fleet in view," Lauber said.
"On screen," he ordered.
The screen showed the Covenant fleet in a rough delta formation.
"Liz, get a firing solution on the enemy fleet and put the fleets MAC guns on the timer," Kennedy ordered. "I want the carrier taken out first."
"Aye, aye sir," the AI said.
"Have the rest of our ships fire on the rest of the heavy class ships," he ordered.
The UNSC fleet stopped, the timer decreased. "Prepare a Shiva," Kennedy ordered.
The timer kept going, 3... 2... 1. The Tyrant shuttered as her 4 MAC guns fired. The hot red projectiles flew toward the Covenant fleet.
The Tyrant's first 3 MAC rounds hit the carriers shield, it shined bright hot silver; then it popped, and went out.
The Tyrant's last MAC round hit the covenant carrier; it righted it self and carried on. Then the Chicago's 2 MAC rounds blew into the carrier's center bubble, the massive ship blew in two.
***
Gearhart saw the Covenant carrier blow into flames, the fighters from the 2 Covenant cruisers came at them.
"All fighters engage the Covenant fighters," he ordered. He pushed his throttle all the way forward to full speed and headed strait for the Covenant fighters. He saw that they were Seraph- class fighters.
He was almost in range. "I've got your six sir," Lt. Dorman said.
"Good son," he replied. "Now, let's kick some Covenant ass." He pulled the trigger on his stick and his twin 120mm guns opened fire.
The rounds started to bounce off the Covenant fighter's shields, but soon the shield collapsed and the rounds blew into the hull and it exploded. He locked a pair of ASGM-10 missiles onto the next one and pushed the firing button when it locked.
The missiles flew true. The first one hit the shield and it collapsed, then the last one hit the hull of the fighter and it blew into a ball of fire.
He saw that his squadrons were also in intense dogfights with other Covenant fighters, and had already lost half of a squadron. "Tighten up," he ordered. "Watch out for each other."
***
"Timers at 20 seconds," Liz reported. "Covenant plasma weapons will launch in an estimated 18 seconds."
"We have to get off another shot, decrease the timers," Kennedy ordered.
The timer changed on his tactical screen from 15 seconds to 8 seconds. He was firing from the hip, and he hoped his shot would hit.
The UNSC fleet fired its second salvo, "Break formation NOW," Kennedy ordered.
The UNSC fleet broke apart just before the red plasma torpedoes launched from the Covenant warships.
The MAC rounds hit the Covenant fleet, most were clean misses; but 2 destroyers and a frigate blew apart. One of the Covenant cruisers shields were down.
"All ships attack before they can power up their plasma torpedoes," he ordered. "Captain, fire the Shiva."
The nuclear missile launched toward the Covenant fleet. "Eat this you bastards," he said and pressed the detonation button.
The white flash engulfed the Covenant fleet, when it was gone only 9 Covenant ships left.
The cruiser with the downed shields was now a burning radioactive debris field. That left 1 cruiser, 5 frigates, and 3 destroyers were left. The carrier, cruiser, 3 destroyers, and 4 frigates were burning.
The remaining Covenant ships plasma torpedoes launched at the UNSC ships. Two destroyers and 3 frigates blew apart, 4 other ships were hit and backed off with heavy damage.
The Covenant fleet had broken their lines, missiles and lasers fired every where.
He knew with the bulk of his fleet damaged he would never win this battle, and these ships were all he had to take back this system.
"All ships retreat, activate random exit vectors and return to Lambda HQ," Kennedy ordered.
***
"All fighters retreat," Gearhart ordered. "Get to your ship and dock as fast as you can. We're getting the hell out of here." He turned his fighter around and headed back to the Tyrant.
***
"Sir, plasma torpedo coming for us," Lauber reported.
"Evasive, evasive," Kennedy ordered, but it was too late.
The red ball of fire blew into the Tyrant. Alarms sounded and the bridge got extremely hot.
"Report," he shouted over all the noise. "Report!"
"Heavy damage sir, I can't figure out what is going on below decks," Lt. Hugo reported.
"Are our slip drives still on line," Kennedy asked.
"Yes sir," Hugo replied.
"Go into slipstream," Kennedy ordered.
The Tyrant jumped out of the battle area, he would destroy this Covenant fleet if it was the last thing he'd ever do.
Fleet Admiral- Please Post Comments
Harvest Campaign Chapter 7
Date: 16 August 2004, 10:49 PM
1100 Hours February 3, 2527 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Lambda System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Only a few hours ago his fleet engaged the Covenant in battle, and lost. Only a fleet of eight ships remained. That against a fleet of nine Covenant warships was bad, plus the fact that they probably were receiving reinforcements.
His fleet would not last long in a fight, only three of the eight ships were at full combat readiness; and that was an assault frigate, a frigate, and his flagship. His flagship was not in the best of shape though.
In the battle she was hit by a plasma torpedo and now has hull breaches on ten decks. The armor on those decks was gone, along with the armor three decks above and below each. One lucky shot would gut them. They were still at combat readiness though.
The only thing that might save them though if the Covenant attacked the station was the six portable MAC platforms that helped protect the station. Each one was half the size of a frigate and could lob a heavy round. They have their own generators and a crew of 25. Plus the station has 30 Archer missile pods, but that wouldn't too much in the long run. What he needed was reinforcements, but they just didn't have the ships in the sector.
Worse of all, since they had to get out of their fast, an estimated six squadrons of fighters were left behind. He had to check if they were still alive, but couldn't spare a ship at the time. All ships were being repaired and readied for the imminent attack on the station by the Covenant. If they lived through that, he would go back. He swore it, like he swore to destroy the damn Covenant fleet.
He looked at the casualty report again, and then picked it up and, as hard as he could, through it across the room. The data pad broke as it hit the bulkhead of his ready room.
Klaxons blared. He stood up, buttoned the top of his collar, and walked out of the ready room onto the bridge.
"Report," he asked as he neared the command chair.
"Sensor station Wilmore has picked up Covenant ships heading toward the station," Captain Lauber reported. "Lt. Shepard reports that it is all the Covenant ships in the system since they have no more on the scopes in the system."
"How many," he asked.
"Eighteen sir," Lauber replied.
"Update Admiral Cole of the situation," Kennedy ordered. "Tell him we'll fight to the death, and take as many of those bastards with us."
Lauber looked at him with a smile, glad that they were not leaving a good fight. "Yes sir," he said. He stopped smiling and walked over to the comm station.
Kennedy turned to see some of the bridge crew staring at him. Most of them were the younger ones, and he could tell that they were afraid. "ETA to Covenant fleet," he asked.
"One hour," Lt. Commander Flaud reported.
"Very well," Kennedy replied. "Captain, put the fleet in a broad formation at rally point Beta. You have the bridge."
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber replied, puzzled as the admiral walked off the bridge.
***
For 45 minutes Kennedy walk all around the Tyrant. It was a curse that commanders did before a battle that they probably won't win. Sometimes though, the battle turns out differently.
On Earth in the very early 1800's when the Napoleonic's War was raging against England and France, Admiral Nelson; the commander of the British fleet, walk around the HMS Victory just before the Battle of Trafalgar.
Nelson inspected his ship, and talked to some of the men under his command. The British Fleet was much smaller then the French Fleet. When the battle was over, the British were victorious, but Nelson was killed. Shot in the heart by a musket on a French ship that tried to board them.
Maybe there is a lesson there, but in alluded him. Try not to get shot, perhaps. If that is the case, then why in the hell was he doing this job! Maybe it was something else.
He pondered this as the lift doors opened onto the bridge and he walked out. This was his Trafalgar, ether that or his Alamo. As he sat in the command chair though, his mind went strait to the thought of the battle.
He looked at the tactical screen. His small fleet of eight ships faced the Covenant fleet of eighteen.
"Liz, prepare to fire," Kennedy ordered.
"Timer activated," the woman AI said. "Firing in ten seconds."
He watched the timer as it hit zero. He felt the four thumps as the MAC rounds left the ship toward their targets.
The rounds blew into the Covenant fleet and only four ships went up in flames. He had to even the odds. He activated the outermost of the nuclear mines. Three white flashes appeared, and the covenant fleet was gone. When they dimmed, two more Covenant ships were burning. That still wasn't enough to matter.
As the fleet fired again he kept trying to think of a way to even the field. He looked up in time to see two more Covenant ships to explode. That was eight, only ten more to go. Only now the Covenant were in range to use their plasma weapons.
"Break and attack," Kennedy ordered.
As they broke he saw fighters fly out of the two cruisers and four destroyers.
***
Gearhart through his fighter up as the blue lasers sizzled past his fighter, barely missing. He came in around the fighter that just shot at him and pulled the trigger. The 120mm rounds hit the shield and bounced off. He still held the trigger as the shield popped and then the fighter exploded from the hail of rounds.
He came around again to take down the bombers headed for the capitol ships. He had just taken out three when his copilot, Lt. Jacobs, shouted, "I have six squadrons of fighters on an inbound vector sir. Coming in fast."
"Shit," Gearhart said. "Prepare to enga..."
"Sir, I am getting a FOF tag from them," Jacobs said. "Their ours."
"Contact them," the captain ordered.
"I have them," he replied. Jacobs switched on the speakers.
"This is Lt. Commander Lewis. Have we missed the party?"
"No commander, the party has just started," Gearhart said. "Come and join it."
***
Things were starting to look up. Sort of. Only five capitol ships remained.
"Pull back to rally point Alpha," Kennedy ordered.
Now they had their backs against the wall. Only eight Covenant warships remained, but those eight could easily destroy them.
"Sir, I have more slipstream exits," Flaud reported. "There ours!"
The holotank came on with the face of Commodore Gerabagi. "Thought you could use some help."
"Defiantly," Kennedy replied.
Gerabagi's fleet of ten ships moved in. The Covenant fleet turned to face the new threat, seeing that this fleet was fresh. As they turned, the MAC platforms fired, hitting their backside.
The two Covenant cruisers fired their three plasma torpedoes. Five ships, three frigates and two destroyers, exploded into balls of fire.
"Shit," Kennedy said. "Get me the New Jersey on holotank two."
Gerabagi's face came up on the tank. "Yes," he asked.
"Let's go for the cruisers," Kennedy said. "Their tearing our ships apart."
Gerabagi nodded and the tank cut off. "Come to course 431.7," Kennedy ordered. "Bring reactors to 130%, and prepare Archer missiles A through E to fire. Liz, get me a MAC gun solution."
"Already on it," the woman AI said.
The Manhattan- class cruiser New Jersey moved toward the nearest cruiser and opened fire. Her three MAC rounds hit the cruisers shield, but didn't penetrate. As her missiles went in the cruisers blue pulse lasers fired and took down almost half before they hit.
As the last one hit the shield popped and went out. Four pulse lasers fired at the human cruiser and sliced into the armor, then the hull of the ship.
Kennedy saw the three red molts of light collect on the hull of the Covenant cruiser. As they became scarlet, readying to fire, three MAC rounds launched from the New Jersey. The rounds blew into the hull of the cruiser, blowing it in half; but the torpedoes were already tracking their target.
He watched in horror as the red balls of fire made contact with the ship, burning all of its crew alive in a matter of seconds. A friend he went to the academy with, had been XO of his first command, had known since eighth grade; was dead.
Anger filled his thoughts. "Blow that Covenant son of a bitch out of space," he yelled.
The four MAC rounds and 150 missiles flew toward the Covenant cruiser. The first three knocked out the shield. The last one blew into the nose of the ship, making her spin out of control. Unable to bring her lasers to bare, the missiles blew into the hull.
The hull turned white hot, and then she burst in half and exploded. The remaining Covenant ships, a destroyer and two frigates, had been pushed back into range of the MAC platforms.
The platforms fired and the two frigates exploded, the destroyer floated; disabled in space.
"Prepare the marines," Kennedy ordered.
"Sir," Lauber said. "Look."
He turned to see explosions emanating form the hull of the disabled destroyer. Then she exploded, not willing to be taken by the UNSC.
"They self destructed," Lt. Hugo remarked. "Rather die then taken prisoner."
***
Cole looked at him through the screen. "Admiral Kennedy, you won I guess?"
"Yes sir," Kennedy replied. "But with heavy losses. Of them is the New Jersey and Commodore Gerabagi."
"I see," Cole said. "Well, take the remaining forces under your command and head back to Harvest."
"We have taken the system, but who will protect it," Kennedy asked.
"The Lambda and Colons Systems have asked the CMA for a garrison," Cole said.
"Yes sir," Kennedy replied. "I'll be there tomorrow."
Fleet Admiral- Please Make Comments
Harvest Campaign Chapter 8
Date: 26 September 2004, 5:14 AM
0900 Hours July 10, 2528 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Admiral Kennedy sat in his quarters on the Tyrant. This had to have been the longest campaign he had ever been on. Next to this would be the two year campaign to retake the Eridanus System in 2494.
He thought back over the campaign. His mind went strait to his late good friend Kevan Gerabagi. He had died a year ago in the action in the Lambda System.
A few months ago the Lambda and Colons Systems were over run again, but taken back a week ago; by him again.
This time the system was put under the protection of the UNSC, the CMA was now integrated into the UNSC. From what he had been hearing the UNSC was being hit badly on all the most outer colonies.
The good thing was they had now turned the tide of the battle in the Harvest System. Soon the Covenant would be gone!
"Sir," the intercom said.
"Yes," Kennedy responded.
"Admiral Cole is hailing us," the bridge said.
"Put him through down here," Kennedy ordered.
Kennedy looked at his computer as the face of Admiral Cole came up on it.
"Kennedy," Cole said. "I have an assignment for you."
"Yes sir," Kennedy asked.
"A Covenant attack fleet it heading toward Thule," Cole said. "It was spotted by the frigate Talon, and will be there with in the hour. You are ordered to intercept them before they get to the planet. The only way for them to glass it is to get pass you. I am sending all the information on the subject now. Good luck and god speed."
The screen went blank. Thule was one of the last planets in the system with people still on it. They were being evacuated from the system, but they had limited ships so it wasn't completed yet.
He punched the intercom, "Captain, get my battle group ready."
"Yes sir," Lauber said.
Kennedy brought up the data Cole sent him. From the estimated path of the Covenant fleet, he found a perfect place to intercept them.
Kennedy fed the coordinates to the bridge and said, "Set a course to the point on these coordinates."
"Aye, aye sir," Lauber said.
1247 Hours July 10, 2528 (Military Calendar) /
Coordinates 355.8, Near Thule, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy's 18 warships came into position near the Covenant fleet. It was so much smaller then the ones he was used to seeing.
Only ten covenant warships made up the enemy battle group, a cruiser, carrier, four destroyers and four frigates. That was still a lot of firepower.
He could overpower them this time. He out numbered them, and out gunned them. They had to either fight him or run; and they didn't run.
"Covenant fleet in firing range," Lauber reported.
"Liz, prepare our opening volley of MAC guns," Kennedy ordered.
The woman AI came up and said, "Opening volley ready."
A web of trajectories came up on Kennedy's green tactical screen.
"Fire," Kennedy ordered.
The red MAC rounds flew toward the Covenant fleet.
The silver shields covered the surface of the Covenant ships. Two frigates shields popped and failed and were then nailed by the remaining incoming MAC rounds. Then they exploded into a ball fire.
Then, green distortions came up on the screen. The Covenant were using an intersystem jump! From this area in the system?
The Covenant then jumped.
"Captain," Kennedy said. "Get our asses to Thule now!"
1328 Hours July 10, 2528 (Military Calendar) /
Near Thule, In Pursuit of Covenant Fleet, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy watched as his fleet neared Thule. The Covenant were starting to glass the planet.
"Sir," Lauber said. "The two frigates and a destroyer are turning to engage."
"Liz fire on those ships first," Kennedy ordered.
"Aye, aye sir," Liz said. "Ready admiral."
"Open fire," Kennedy ordered.
The MAC guns fired, and so did the Covenant's plasma torpedoes.
"All ships evasive," Kennedy yelled.
The ships turned, but for three ships it was too late. Two destroyers and a frigate blew into balls of fire.
The MAC rounds found their mark though. The two frigates did not last long, and the destroyer was gutted. Fire was billowing from her. She shrugged off the damage and kept coming.
"Have one ship finish that destroyer," Kennedy ordered. "Prepare to fire on the last five ships now!"
He didn't want anymore innocent lives lost.
The remaining 14 ships opened fire.
The remaining Covenant ships didn't last very long.
"Contact Admiral Cole," Kennedy ordered. "Tell him our status."
Kennedy updated Cole on what had happened. "I suggest you update command about this sir."
"Agreed," Cole said.
It was evident though, the Covenant were starting to lose their battle here.
Fleet Admiral- Post Comments
Harvest Campaign Chapter 9 Final Victory
Date: 30 October 2004, 8:16 PM
0900 Hours May 10, 2529 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Zeus, Flagship of Vice- Admiral Cole's Fleet
Rear- Admiral Shay Kennedy walked into the conference room of the Zeus. It would not be the first time he was in this room.
Sitting around the conference table were other officers in the fleet. Most were newer faces since most of the original fleet commanders had been killed over the course of the four month long campaign.
Vice- Admiral Cole walked into the room and they all stood at attention.
"At ease," Cole said.
They all sat.
"Everyone," Cole began. "The Covenant forces in the system have almost been routed; but even with their forces in such a bad state they could still easily destroy us.
"A recon fly by of the Covenant Fleets position showed that they were bringing their fleet together. A prowler was dispatched to keep an eye on just what they were planning. That prowler reported back 15 minutes ago. Every ship in the Covenant Fleet is on its way here right now."
A murmur went around the room, but quickly stopped.
"We will be making the stand here," Cole said. "Our fleet against theirs. The six MAC platforms and the stations defenses will be helping. This will decide the fate of the Harvest System. So, with out further delay, get back to your ships and get your crews ready. This is going to be a ling one."
0940 Hours May 10, 2529 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
The fleet was as ready as it would ever be. In all, with the reinforcements they had received in the past four years, the fleet consisted of 28 ships.
"Sir," Lauber said. "Covenant fleet inbound."
"Numbers," Kennedy asked.
"I have thirty ships on the scope," Lauber said.
"Admiral Cole is sending in MAC gun targeting data," Mayfield reported.
"On screen," Kennedy said.
The green board showed a red line connecting with an inbound Covenant frigate.
"Put the MAC firing system on the timers," Kennedy ordered.
The Covenant Fleet sped in toward the UNSC Fleet.
"Firing in 3...2...1," Liz said.
The Tyrant shuddered as the four massive MAC guns fired. The rest of the fleet followed suit making it two volleys fired at the enemy.
The first volley slammed into the Covenant. The shields held and they went on, then the second hit. The already weakened shields could not hold, they popped and went out. Some of the last MAC round slammed into the unshielded craft.
The frigate the Tyrant fired at exploded into a ball of fire. Another one, a destroyer, took a round through the nose and flew out of control and hit a frigate. The two ships became linked together and then exploded.
The 27 other Covenant ships kept coming closer to the UNSC Fleet. Then red balls of fire started to collect on their lateral lines, preparing their plasma weapons.
"MAC gun status," Kennedy asked.
"The fleet will fire in ten seconds," Liz reported. "Five...four...three...two...one."
The UNSC fleet fire another volley of MAC rounds.
Admiral Cole's face came up and he said, "Break and attack!"
The UNSC Fleet broke formation and sped toward the Covenant Fleet. The last MAC volley slammed into the Covenant Fleet. Two frigates and another destroyer exploded leaving the Covenant Fleet to 24 ships.
The Covenant Fleet launched their plasma torpedoes. The red balls of fire burned through space.
"Launch all fighters," Kennedy ordered.
***
Captain Gearhart jumped into his Broadsword fighter along with the rest of the squadron.
After being cycled through the airlocks, they launched into the battle.
"Tighten up," Gearhart said. "I'll take Alpha through Delta squadrons. Sean, you take Echo through Hydra squadrons."
Commander Sean Prendergast was the second in command of all fighters on the Tyrant.
Gearhart saw Seraph fighters launching from the Covenant capitol ships.
"Okay everyone," Gearhart said. "It's time to go to work."
He dove his fighter and so did the rest of Alpha squadron. They came down right on a squadron of Covenant fighters.
He fired his 100mm auto- guns and HE missiles and so did the rest. They blew through the Covenant fighters, like they had no shields. Out of 12 only 3 remained.
"Mop them up," Gearhart said. "And let's move on."
Gearhart looked to see a squadron of Covenant bombers escorted by Covenant fighters. They were heading for the UNSC Fleet.
"Alpha take out the bombers," Gearhart ordered. "Bravo, the fighters."
The two squadrons came up on the Covenant small craft.
Gearhart pulled the trigger on his stick and the guns came to life.
"Sir," the radio said. "Another Covenant squadron has come in behind us!"
Gearhart looked back to see most of Bravo Squadron get blown away.
"Bravo," Gearhart ordered. "Regroup and attack. Charlie come in behind the Covenant and take them out. Charlie? Charlie Squadron come in?"
"They're gone sir," Lt. JG Frost, new commander of what was left of Bravo, said.
"Shit," Gearhart said. "Delta, get your asses over here."
He through his fighter around and locked a pair of missiles on the lead Covenant bomber and fired.
The missiles flew true. The shield went silver, then popped and went out. The last missile blew into the hull and the bomber exploded.
He saw Delta come in and start blowing through the Covenant fighters, but then came two more squadrons. They were being over whelmed.
He looked up and saw why. A Covenant cruiser was right above them. He knew there was no way out for any of the squadrons with him.
"Sean," Gearhart said into his radio. "Take command of the fighters. We're not going to make it."
"Sir," Sean said. "Hold on, we're coming."
"No," Gearhart said. "Stay back. You have command."
He looked over the see Frosts fighter explode and the blue lasers coming in at him. He dove, but it was too late. The lasers went through the cockpit and the fighter exploded.
1017 Hours May 10, 2529 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Harvest System, In Combat with Covenant Fleet/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
Kennedy watched as the Covenant cruiser came right through to the middle of the UNSC lines.
"Come to course three two eight zero mark 2," Kennedy ordered. "Liz, get me a firing solution on that Covenant cruiser in the middle of our lines."
"Yes admiral," Liz and the helm officer said.
The Tyrant turned and faced the Covenant cruiser.
"Guns ready," Liz said.
"Lock pods A through F on target," Kennedy ordered.
"Locked," Mayfield reported.
"Fire," Kennedy ordered.
The cruiser shuddered and the four MAC rounds left the Tyrant and the 180 missiles fired.
The first three MAC rounds hit the Covenant ship. Its shields turned white hot silver. Then the last one hit and the shield popped and went out. The rest of the momentum from the round transferred to the hull, but the cruiser still held strong.
Blue pulse lasers fired and a third of the missiles were shot down before they could hit the target.
The rest did though and fires broke out across the forward decks of the Covenant ship.
Three pulse lasers fired at the Tyrant. The armor popped and sizzled as the lasers penetrated deeper.
"Armor on decks D through H is at 20%," Lauber reported.
"MAC status," Kennedy asked.
"I have 40% and rising," Liz said.
"Transfer to all of it to one of the guns," Kennedy ordered.
"I have 100% on number one gun," Liz reported.
"Send that Covenant cruiser to hell," Kennedy said.
The Tyrant shuddered as the MAC round flew toward the Covenant cruiser.
It hit her right in the middle and blew through her. She went out of control and her engines flared to try and come about.
"Pods G through J lock and fire," Kennedy ordered.
The pods fired and the 120 missiles blew into the hull of the Covenant ship. The hull was white hot. The hull stress became too great and the ship blew in half.
Kennedy looked at the fleet on his tactical board. Most of the Covenant Fleet was destroyed. The disabled one self destructed. The UNSC Fleet was not in the best condition either though.
Only 12 ships remained. Most of the others were disabled or destroyed.
He saw the Covenant Flagship, a heavy assault carrier, head strait for the Zeus.
"Come to course five eight nine zero mark 6," Kennedy ordered.
The Tyrant turned toward the two flagships.
"Full engines," Kennedy ordered.
The cruiser headed toward Cole's ship.
The Covenant flagship fired two plasma torpedoes and the Zeus fired her MAC guns.
The torpedoes flew into the cruiser and started to burn through the hull deeper into the ship.
The four MAC rounds hit the Covenant ships shield, and it held.
The carrier fired its pulse lasers and hit the Zeus again.
Cole's ship was engulfed in flames. Most of the port side was burned away along with that went two MAC guns.
The torpedoes also detonated all the pods on that side so the Zeus was in bad shape and could not take much more.
"Come into position to fire our guns," Kennedy ordered. "Bring the reactor to 130% and divert 70% of our engine power to our guns."
His crew did not question his orders or hesitate. With a "Yes sir" they carried them out. This was a dangerous plan. The reactor was running over the safety limits and the engines were down to only 30% power.
"MAC guns fully charged," Liz said.
"Lock pods K through S on target," Kennedy ordered.
"Locked," Mayfield said.
"Have them hit when our last MAC round hits," Kennedy ordered.
"Ready," Mayfield reported.
"Fire," Kennedy ordered.
The 270 missiles fired and went toward their target. Then the MAC guns fired.
The carrier was now coming in for the kill and the Zeus was trying to back off as fast as possible.
The MAC round hit. The shield turned silver. Then the last one hit with the missiles. The shield popped and went out. Momentum transferred along with over 100 missiles.
The hull became a blaze with fire. She turned and fired a plasma torpedo at the Tyrant.
Kennedy hit the emergency thruster, but it was too late. The ball of fire hit the cruiser.
The bridge was suddenly very hot.
"Heavy damage to all starboard decks sir," Lauber reported. "It's still burning through us. Quick, vent atmosphere on all starboard decks!'
"Venting now," Hugo reported. "Venting complete."
Kennedy looked to see the carrier. Then he saw two MAC rounds hit her from behind. They came from the Zeus!
One hit the engines and the carrier exploded into a huge ball of fire.
Admiral Cole's face came up on the screen, "Thanks Kennedy."
"No problem sir," Kennedy replied.
The Covenant Fleet was gone. They won; they finally won the battle in the Harvest System.
0800 Hours May 11, 2529 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC HQ, Harvest System/
UNSC Yamato- class Cruiser Tyrant, Flagship of Rear- Admiral Kennedy
"Amen," Kennedy ended the prayer. "We now commit the body of Captain Michel Gearhart to space. Until space gives up her dead."
He looked over at the coffin that held the remains of his friend and comrade. The honor unit took the UNSC colors off the coffin and stood at attention.
"Attention," Kennedy shouted.
Taps started to play and Kennedy said, "Present arms."
All the men it the bay saluted as the coffin was ejected into space. It was the proper burial for a man who had served the UNSC so well.
"Order arms," Kennedy said and all the arms dropped. "Dismissed."
Kennedy saw Commander Sean Prendergast still standing there. Then he walked over to the window and kept watching the coffin as it drifted from sight.
Kennedy walked up to him. He had known Sean for a long time. Their families knew each other.
"How are you holding up," Kennedy asked.
"Good sir," Prendergast said.
"Well," Kennedy said. "Here."
Kennedy handed him a box and Prendergast took it. He opened it to see a pair of brass collar insignia, four gold bars and a star, the insignia of Captain.
"Congratulations," Kennedy said.
Then he left Prendergast there to stair into space.
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This story is dedicated to all the men and women who have died in the service of the United Stated Military
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