Attack on Sol (Part 11)
Posted By: Slit Throat
Date: 30 June 2004, 8:38 PM
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The Covenant dropship passed through Luna's atmosphere and into space. Covenant ships orbited the moon trying to figure out what was happening. The dropship continued toward Earth at its top speed, just under Mach one.
As they passed through Earth's atmosphere, the Master Chief said, "land in New Mombasa, we need to report to General Ketin."
"Understood," responded Will.
Five minutes later, the dropship touched down on a Pelican landing pad near the Marine HQ. Two Marines standing guard raised their weapons, but quickly lowered them when the Chief and his team emerged.
As they had after the mission on the cruiser, the Spartans were shown into the bare 'lounge' by a MP and were asked to wait. The MP returned almost immediately and showed them in.
Ketin's office was as bare as before. The man himself was sitting at his desk examining a computer screen with a grim look on his face. He looked up upon the Spartan's entry.
"Congratulations on a successful mission. Intel has confirmed that as of one hour ago, there were numerous explosions on Luna's surface in the vicinity of the Covenant base. You have completed all of your objectives?" He barely waited for the Chief's nod before continuing. "Since the Covenant have become disorganized because of the attack on their base, it is time to make another move.
It has come to our attention that Fleet Admiral Sir Terrence Hood and other important UNSC officials are trapped in New York City. They have only a light guard of Marines and whatever secrecy they can maintain. Since the Covenant captured the city five hours ago, we have only received one transmission from them requesting evac. You will be providing that.
Of further note, the A.I. you recovered from the cruiser has been decoded and has revealed startling results. The data extracted includes the location of the Covenant homeworld."
The Spartans exchanged glances; this revelation opened many new opportunities.
Ketin took a deep breath and continued. "Intel has also located the remnants of Earth's fleet. They are hidden in the Oort cloud around the system but are in no shape to attack. Out of the original five hundred ships that regrouped to repel the Covenant attack, only sixty-two remain intact and they have all taken moderate to heavy damage.
Seven of our shield equipped capital ships survived and two battle groups consisting of twenty ships apiece that arrived too late have joined them. Still, that only brings our entire 'fleet' to one hundred and nine ships, not nearly enough to destroy the two hundred plus Covenant ships in system."
The Master Chief was taken aback by the sheer amount of ships lost. He was also confused. Why was Admiral Hood so important and how did the Fleet's losses and the Covenant homeworld fit in? He glanced toward the Prophet in Will's arms; and why was the Prophet so important?
When he asked as much, Ketin shook his head. "Admiral Hood is the only one who can officially command the Fleet. The smaller the Fleet, the less chance we have of successfully attacking the Covenant homeworld. As for the Prophet; it's main value is for intelligence, but it may be useful later on."
The Chief was stunned. General Ketin actually believed that Admiral Hood would approve such a suicidal mission! But he reconsidered. Ketin's proposed mission was not so different from the one he and the other Spartans had been assigned. He nodded slightly and saw Fred do the same.
"Now that that's out of the way," Ketin said, "on to the rescuing of the Admiral. You will be transported by Pelican to the southern outskirts. Admiral Hood and the others are in the underground bunker below the city hall. Evidently the Covenant found out where they were and have surrounded the site. Hood and co have sealed themselves in the armory and reported that they are safe-for the moment. How you get them out is up to you, but do it fast. Any questions?"
"There is one thing sir," said Linda, stepping forward. She held a gray tube about ten centimeters long in her hand. The Chief noticed two small buttons on its surface.
"It appears to be an energy blade, like those carried by upper ranking Elites. The button on the left activates it and the one on the right deactivates it. If the blade is dropped without being deactivated, a sensor in the handle triggers a fail safe." Linda handed the tube to Ketin who took it gingerly.
"Thank you," he murmured. "I'm sure the ONI scientists will love to get their hands on this." He set the tube on his desk. "Is there anything else?" The Spartans shook their heads. "Then I suggest you get ready. The Pelican will be here in half an hour or less."
"We're on it sir," announced the Chief. Ketin nodded and looked back at his computer, a clear sign of dismissal. The Spartans spun on their heels and walked out of his office.
After they had deposited the aliens in the Marine HQ hospital, the Spartans walked outside to the Pelican landing pads. The Pelican had not yet arrived. The Master Chief sent Will and Linda to collect more ammunition and supplies. He and Fred leaned against the outer wall of the base and watched the sun rise in a sky of fire.
A few minutes after Linda and Will returned with the ammo and supplies, the Pelican arrived. The four Spartans climbed aboard and the dropship lifted off.
The pilot obviously already had his orders as he left the Spartans alone for the flight to New York. They used the time to rest, their first sleep in a day.
Finally, the Pelican's engines slowed to a low moan and the dropship began to descend. The Chief look out of the main hatch and surveyed the devastation. Fires raged in some parts of the city and the skyline had been significantly lowered.
The Pelican touched down in an open field that had once been bordered by buildings, but now was surrounded by piles of scrap metal and ash. There were several one and two story buildings about two hundred meters away.
The Spartans quickly climbed out and the Pelican rose into the air and sped away. They spread into a staggered line and cautiously moved forward.
As they approached the corner of a two story building, the Master Chief heard gunfire and the familiar whine of plasma weapons. There still appeared to be resistance in the city.
"Spartans," he announced over the com, "lets give the Marines a hand while we're here." Their acknowledgment lights blinked on. The Chief turned the corner and readied his Battle Rifle.
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