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                Halo/ME/MLP: Aurora Ascent                 
                   -by Evident Disaster-                   
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                            CH1                            
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CH1
Halo ME MLP: Aurora Ascent
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Chapter 1: The Broken Dawn
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READ PLEASE:
This Section of the fiction is unnecessary to read, you don’t need to read this area unless you are not acquainted with the backstory of the AU Halo Universe I have created, just skip to the RED TEXT which will mark out the end and then go from there.
UCAF chronological data- ACCESS GRANTED
Date of admission- Published 2221- Updated 2521- Modified 2555
/Memo/ -Dr Valerie E Haley
To those who read this chronological archive of the UCAF you may require to read the UCAF foundation records and past ICA records in order to understand this, please note that all archives were accessed and modified by me, and any confidential data seen may or may not be factual as there have been continuity issues through the UCAF archives since 2399. All data regarding specific structures and organisations will be recorded in their own separate sections, please also note that this shares archived data on past organisations and records involving the military, economic and historic events and timelines. This information must not be allowed to fall into unwarranted hands due to the sensitivity of the information.
To those who read this, the future is not set, however the past is, heed this warning, and do not make the same mistakes… Semper Fi.
/END/
Index Archives
Factions: Note that some may not exist while others may have disbanded
In the beginning of the new colonies of the Nova Stratus region, there were over 80 known factions in control of the region of space; throughout 2221 the UCAF recorded the 8 main power factions:
Pop: 46 billion, 890 worlds, unknown amount of systems
Imperial Arcadian Empire: The Arcadian Empire was once built over the ruins of a past race that utilised space FTL teleportation; the Arcadians decided to ignore trying to understand the super advanced technology and simply accepted it as a gift from fate. The Empire structured itself on militaristic and imperial beliefs since the early 5th century when the first Arcadians witnessed the first king travel through the gateways with his armies to ascend into godhood. It wasn’t until much later that it was discovered to be a teleporter and began to spread news of the new king, and thus over 500 years the Arcadian Empire has stretched far even though not being FTL capable, it encompassed over 172 planets and 5 dozen systems by 2225.
Human Unification Organisation: This faction of power was infamous through the Nova Stratus records as being completely immoral in practices with medicine and genetic manipulation, especially through the early 24th century. The Human Unification was a movement and ideal based on a single mind and body, not literally but metaphorically it meant to bring the human race under one banner and to bring the colonies to improve themselves by adapting their beliefs of improvement through health and genetics, their beliefs were well met, but not widely accepted. The HUO began expansion just 75 years before 2225, it reached over 93 worlds, but had severe restrictions due to non-FTL abilities, but it could communicate to other planets through a unique technological device found on their planet, this communication allowed access to dozens of worlds, but made things arduous as it took years to convince many, and those with them were not as loyal as they had yet to show themselves until 2225.
Imperial Orussian Imperium: The Imperium of the Celestial Tundra is what Orussia essentially means, the Orussians had been formed during the 8th century and continued to evolve into the state that it is, however it is unique due to its amazing bit of genetic evolution. The Orussian people originate on their world of Icarus, frozen tundra of a planet, but they live in underground super cities constructed millennia before their existence, it was said that their gods shaped and created them to do their will. The Orussiuan people were initially suspected to have been cloned, on closer inspection that rumour had become somewhat true, in the earliest days the ICA found that the Orussians were using an alien technology that allowed them to be cloned at nearly instant speeds, it aged the clones to a certain degree before releasing them as perfect replicas, however in the years the Orussians phased out the use of clones as there was no longer a need. Orussian space from records indicated that they possessed 123 worlds.
Independent Colonial Coalition: ICC was not only a formidable power during the early colonial era, but the fact that they had the largest coalition of planets was frightening. The ICC had formed during the late 9th century as the planet of Callistan began to advance; the Callistians had unified and advanced rapidly in technology and science putting their beliefs in religion behind for idealised morals and ethics and beliefs which suited their society. The Callistians recruited a number of neighbouring systems through talk and began to advance into modern 21st century technology by early 11th century, they had covered the areas of technology faster than that of earth, however during the period which became known as the ‘colonial age’ the Coalition fell apart at the seams as many new colonies wished for independence. For 400 years the ICC was engrossed in civil strife and war, and eventually it fell into a dark age of space. ICC did not reform until late 18th century and only during the 19th did it fully recover to begin again with efforts to reconnect with lost ties. The ICC first developed AI in 2101, and created cybernetics in 2021. ICC planets numbered roughly 180 worlds, however many factions that splintered decreased the numbers down to 50.
Neo Koslovic Separatists: NKS was formed about the same time the ICA was formed and was kept marginally controllable, the NKS however had many flaws in ideals and beliefs and most of the reform was half hearted corrections that worked well to suit certain colonies to join, the efforts it took the NKS to form was staggering and highly costly, the NKS did not survive with its neo communist beliefs as it died out in early 2312. Planets under NKS influence were roughly 45.
United Republic of Calisto: URC was amazingly the wealthiest faction out of the Nova Stratus factions and it was the most developed faction surpassing the ICC, but it was not as expansive as the ICC or the IAE, it took the efforts of the Calisto Strata Cluster 400 years to get to a fully developed point and the URC required to buy most of the FTL technology from the ICC when they encountered each other during the late 18th century. URC was initially 30 systems and 130 worlds but developed heavily into 80 systems and 210 worlds by the end of the 23rd century.
Arian Systems Movement: ASM was notoriously a heavy left hand fascist ruled dictatorship, Arian Molvic was an imperialist ruler who believed heavily in the strength of his people, but also his blood, he was supposed to have died during the 17th century, however with certain technology he had managed to stay alive and active, his rule had been nearly absolute, if it weren’t for the many new factions which opposed him during the rise of the 19th century where the ICC and the many rebellion forces began to push forwards with a war on his rule, he was not killed until a single 4 man team infiltrated his palace and managed to slay him in 2332. Number of planets under recorded history is unknown…
Independent Colonial Alliance: ICA was the foremost impressive force of Nova Stratus region because of its FTL and colonisation ability, the ICA formed in 2225 with its position on Anomia and 12 new colonies, it began to garner support over the whole region boasting new technologies from an empire far away on a planet called earth, and thus the ICA began integration in a short 25 years. It continued to expand until it was stopped by the ICC and the IAE during the late 23rd century. The ICA formed 80 worlds and moved upwards since.
Races: This must remain absolutely confidential for the security of the human race and beyond it
Fenrisson: An indigenous species connected to the world of Valence, their discovery was not made until the 15th century by ICC colonial explorer ships. The Fenris have no intentions to join the human race as they had lived in isolation for many millennia, the ICC did not attempt to force borders open and simply remained passive. The Fenris race did not join the human race until late 2400s where the planet suffered a disastrous famine caused from heat of the local star, it had a minor solar flare which lasted 3 months and destroyed over 60% of crops and caused heavy instability in the planet’s ecosphere.
Timeline: 2250-2350
ICA formation in Nova Stratus was welcomed by many, the formation of the first new faction since the HUO centuries earlier, the ICA formed with the intent to bring a democratic social order and wealth to the worlds of Nova Stratus, its 110 ships and 1.1 million colonists met with the first Anomians who lived on the new capital and integrated the pre-space capable race into its own. The ICAF was later formed in 2263 in order to defend against possible raids from pirates and slavers.
ICC and the ASM began a conflict when the planet of Vekta was invaded by ASM forces, the ICC responded with a massive fleet strike and soon the far western regions of the Nova Stratus region was engrossed in a war of attrition, it would not end until late 2341.
URC and HUO form a pact of trade in order to maximise their economic standing as the ICC colonial conflict progressed, the pact would last until the rise of the Advent order and the Imperial Vindicators of 2371.
IAE makes a calculated move to engage the ICA in the south east regions of the Nova Stratus regions, the factions face off in a heavy warzone and soon finds themselves battling on equal terms. The ICA only has the advantage of space FTL and weaponry while the IAE only possess the ability to utilise ground troops. The first conflict alerts the ICA to its fragile situation and makes the ICA council partake in a future plan to protect its space.
2350-2450
The ICC becomes united as it celebrates the victory over the ASM and the death of Arian and his rule, the support for the ICC rises and changes in power gives way for change to order. The ICC begins the next stage of development as it moves to unify the western regions of Nova Stratus.
2370 marks the beginning of change as the URC encounters a mysterious unexplored region of Nova Stratus, this isolated region reveals 64 worlds under the control of the Imperial Vindicator Order which had taken root nearly a millennia before. The IVO was formed by the ruling emperor Kisage Hotari his empire had been formed through the use of alien technology in 1250. The IVO keeps at distance until offers of trade and expansion are revealed, the IVO accepts in late 2371 when the URC offers to show them regions of recently conquered ASM systems.
ICAF begins rapid expansion across all front as helps in reconstituting the many ASM worlds, the expansion of the ICA grants it access to over 61 worlds and 30 systems, it had covered as much ground in technology as the ICC, but still did not possess a formidable military.
IAE began its intervention into the expansion of the ICA and the confrontation of the IVO, this move made the Nova Stratus region breach a tension point as the IVO found the intrusion an act of stupidity and challenged the IAE in 2375.
The First Colonial War-2375-2385
The ten year period saw to the end of minor instability as the IVO began its first major step into Nova Stratus, and its first major stride into forming the UCA, the IVO engaged in the war with no belief over pride or greed, but purely on the basis of honour. The war went through 50 systems and on 60 worlds; it totalled 18 million lives and 360 billion credits worth of reparations from the IAE to the IVO.
The ICA made contact with the IVO in 2378 and joined the war, the IVO granted the ICA access to military power and technology as well as access to the legendary Vindicator Order. It was at the end of the war that the ICA suggested a combined effort to unite the colonies and bring proper order to all factions with their assistance, there would no longer be conflict, maybe minor apprehension to the idea, but it would work well with the IVO.
The IVO joins the ICA and forms the ICAF…
Second Colonial War-2415-2445
The remnants of the IAE formed into the Neo Imperial Arcadian Empire, and begin another war, the URC step in to assist as hundreds of URC worlds are annexed and the ICC also join. The war goes for over 20 years and brings into play the advanced technologies of the ICC and the IVO creating the MKI Hayabusa powered armour variant suit. The war rages on until the Orussian military joins from its years of isolation. The war escalates with the defeat of the Arcadian Emperor, Magnus Derion on Theta Arcadia.
2450-2525
The UCA is formed in the aftermath of the SCW as the ICA no longer was capable of being independent as it had encompassed over 5 major factions of power and over 1200 planets in 2450, the UCAF begins mass expansion and colonisation up until the covenant war.
However things did not stay normal, in 2455 the UCAF was contacted by the Office of Naval Intelligence of the UNSC and was asked into aiding in possible future plans it required. The UCAF was sceptical in accepting the ONI or the UNSC as it had long since ended its ties with earth. But the role of the ONI seemed too good to ignore, the UCAF accepted the terms and conditions and integrated and formed the ONI on Anomia, Hyperion Point base.
2500
The birth of Valerie Haley and the initiation of Project Delta One-
2520
The preliminary stage of development of the Spartan Alpha project and the final steps of Project Delta One, the initiation of Project Rey and Forge…
2525
Completion of all assigned task and programs…
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/Memo/ -Aniston Grey- UCAF Rey Project Director
“To those who maybe hearing this message, I warn you about what you will hear and what you will read, this is no story of great honour or faith this was survival, and I’ll be damned for those who condemn the actions we took in order to save the human race from extermination at the hands of the covenant… we did not sit on our asses and do nothing, we took the war to our enemies, with fire and vigour, we shall ensure that mankind will live to see the future, even if we do not make that journey. I say this now, ‘I have become death, the destroyer of worlds’.”
Project Rey: The Rey project was by far the most disturbing project ever undertaken, this child known as Rey -0149 was taken as a child and then genetically cloned with a psychic membrane in his frontal lobe, his genetic augmentations were meant to keep his mind in communication with the other Rey clones, however he suffered severe trauma and went into a coma. His body was cryogenically stored and 5 more clones of him were created in order to test the psycho telepathic communications link.
The link was proven to be highly unstable as the many Rey individuals shared memories and emotions, but also their same creator, their mother. Rey then began to show signs of psychosis amongst the young group as their minds drifted into the mind of Rey-0149 and began to relive dead memories; the ONI took action to severe the link and begins a neuro-telepathic connection to a quantum core in order to avoid any future incidents.
The units after the connection began to act normally passive and engrossed in training, their controlled belief was to die serving and then to end up with their creator in the afterlife, or the quantum core in which their fragmented existence is sent to after their initial deaths, however there was a severe down side to this adaptation, the neural link made the effect of one of the units dying and sent a psycho impulse to all other units warning them of their brothers deaths and making them relieve their deaths inside their own minds. The ONI did nothing to subdue the effects and observed intent on figuring out the working mind of the young Rey clones.
Project Alpha: “They show greater promise than that of Orion, and they show much to be offered to save humanity, it is a cruel truism that I must do this in order to save lives by destroying theirs, but it is a necessary evil that is inexcusable and for what may come I shall eventually pay for it, but till then they are my children, my legacy to humanity for better or for worse, the judgement is made by us as humans to decide upon it. I did what I believed was right, even when they suffered; I did it because it was necessary. Mind, body and soul…” Valerie Haley 2525- A Choice page223
Project Alpha was named in the alpha stages of the Spartan program; it was formed after the failure of Orion and was then used as a template to test the gene-enhancements for the SPII program, Alpha was made in order to ensure that the SPII did not fail, however there were substantial differences in the two programs, the UCAF had funded enough to have 750 candidates aside from the 75 that the UNSC could only afford, the reason being was due to the sheer amount of resources available by the UCAF and the number of highly related gene-strands of precursor DNA that was in the human race in the Nova Stratus region as many humans had been originally altered by the forerunners.
The UCAF had all candidates tested and evaluated over the period of 6 years had had them all take a 3 step initiative into becoming Spartans, the fact remained that some of the chemicals and procedures were far too deadly to perform all at once and it was advised to the ONI that doing so would kill the subjects faster, the process taken by Valerie Haley proved the best option as the program had plenty of time.
The program proved fruitful if not somewhat gruelling, the program produced 690 available Spartans from the 6 year training program and it was less suspicious as to the SPII program, many children were selected from orphanages and certain locations, there was also the fact that those children taken from families were either compliant or unaware of the circumstances involved with their children. The Alpha project moved swiftly and deftly through to the final stages without flaw.
And the program reached its intended goal by the end of 2524 to begin the Ascent Program.
Project Ascent: The Ascent was meant as an inspiration to the new generation at the beginning of 2525, the program was to provide the new powered armour of the UCAF to the Spartans, and it was also to provide Project Rey with the advanced combat skeletons which had been in secret development in the Prodigal System from early 2520. The MKIII series armour was an early prototype suit required to be piloted by a single Spartan occupant, it was a streamlined variant that shaped exactly to that of their bodies, the only flaw was that the suits had bulky designs and irregular joints, it was based off of the Powered Armour of the Vindicators Order, but had to be adapted with the EOD from the Union Specialists program in order to compensate for the lack of shielding from possible enemy fire.
The Ascent Project also featured the research of the MVF-01 series suits, the Mobile Versatile Frames were made as an external support force for the Spartans, it possessed the firepower that the Spartans lacked as well as the shielding, but it could not create a body shield only a bubble area of effect shield. The MVF was first seen in use in the Prodigal system in the first month of the war, there were records that indicated further use, and then afterwards the suits became obsolete during the fall of 2535 when the Mobile Suit program took place.
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Military branches:
Helldivers: The elite and lethal Helldivers were introduced in 2370 by the ICAF adapted from the original ODST branch of the UNSC; the helldivers were created to be as deadly and as efficient as the ODST. However the helldivers worked as spearhead and assault forces for the majority of the war, and were used in almost every battle/campaign. The helldivers are consisted of teenagers who enlist from specialist cores of the UCAF military academies and are voluntary. However others join for many varying reasons. The helldivers have a history of having members who are unstable or emotionally distressed, it is uncommon to have too many psychologically effected marines, however many are overlooked because of their skills and experience.
The helldivers reputation is never taken lightly, especially by the elites of the covenant, the recorded battles between the elites and the helldivers had become something of myths to the covenant.
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Pop: 76 billion, 1780 worlds, 1500+ systems
Timeline-2525-2555
2525- January
UCAF troops are moved to the Prodigal and Haven’s Gate, suspicion to many beliefs that there would be an expedition into the further reaches of space garner much support and thus masks the hidden agenda of the UCAF HIGH COM in its pursuit of hiding the truth of the situation.
Spartan Alpha is moved to Haven 2 days later and begins the final armament procedure before they reach Seti Etha.
Prodigal final checks completed and all MVFs had been fully prepared, only 1 capable pilot is used in the program and is set out to test in field.
5th of January brings the heralds of unknown contacts in orbit over the Haven System, the UCAF respond by attempting communication, the reply is. “Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instruments.” UCAF engages in space combat, the UCAF fleets are heavily armed and manage to fend the covenant off from taking the planet on several occasions; however planet side operations revealed heavy combat and action on the planet.
UCAF marine Mitchel Walker of the Marauders independent division is called in from his previous station in orbit aboard a UCAF cruiser to help in a classified mission.
18th of January the Spartan arrive on Prodigal Eta and encounters the Rey program and Dr Haley, the Dr requires to give all Spartans the armour Ascent units and then asks for assistance in evacuating all Rey units to escape craft in order to continue program, Rey Unit 201 is left behind and ordered to self-destruct once all UCAF ships escape, the unit complies and is killed in action, the first clone casualty of the war.
21st of January, Major Mitchel arrives in the Eastern Verge, he is ordered to aid in the location of a special forerunner beacon and is tasked in retrieving the technology to be sent to ONI Section III, his mission soon spirals out of control as the facility he enters is infested with a hostile parasitic entity known as the flood, his platoon is wiped out shortly and he and 3 others manage to reach the safety of the main complex, however surrounded by the flood and the covenant he soon finds no other option aside from sending the message and ending the facility, he activates a quantum purge inside the station core and sucks the station into oblivion with the flood and the covenant.
Through the rest of the year, the covenant press to engage the UCAF, battles prove to be highly costly on both sides as they are nearly equally matched, the covenant fleet masters agree to bring forth their finest commander, grand fleet overseer Tol’ree Moteree, the devised operation heralds the name of the first exalted crusade.
2526-2531
The UCAF lose over 200 light years and over 400 planets are either destroyed or rendered lifeless, more than 8 billion die within less than 5 years and over 1.9 billion soldiers of the marauders and reserve forces. The UCAF initiate military protocol and command, all military academies were to provide youths with military mandatory classes and training, all colonies were to have an immediate defence force in order to stop any chances of the colony’s demise.
The UCAF military standing was at roughly 3 billion, with 175,000 available warships and vessels.
Spartan Beta begins the recruitment of more than 1500 new Spartans and advanced MKIV armour is placed into production.
2531-2540
UCAF casualties mount as the war progresses, the UCAF colonies are cut nearly finely in half at the middle of the Nova Stratus region, 490 light years had been lost, 29 billion had been killed and a million youth a day were being killed to fight the enemy covenant on the front lines. Child soldiers from ages up to 12-17 were being recruited near combat zones and guerrilla fighting becomes fierce in the region of the now known dead zone, the Daedalus Crusades.
2535 sees the change in the war as the MS program takes hold in the western regions and the eastern flanks, the UCAF begin a massive counter offensive using MS units. The war takes a significant turn, as also the UCAF brings forth the many new Spartan troops, the Beta program brings out over 2000 troops into the war and begins mass escalation in the war.
2539 brings out the covenant’s own MS program to bear and the war begins to stagnate once more, the UCAF finds itself at a kill to death ratio of 1:7, the UCAF only suffering 1 for almost every 7 of the covenant’s own. The war continues as it had until 2545…
2540-2551
UCAF begins the slow build up till operation Overlord to which the UCAF would spearhead a massive attack upon the covenant planetoid to kill and wipe out the hierarchs of Divine Resolve, the Spartans receive further upgrades and new forces appear. Covenant renegades begin to harbour support and the war takes a turn for change.
2545 brings into motion the massive assault, the UCAF bring to bear over 11,000 ships upon one of the 4 command planetoids of the covenant, the mass assault breaks the covenant grasp in a major sector and kills one of the prophets. Another flees into the depths of space and is pursued by the UCAF Spartan team Sigma.
Sigma encounters a forerunner planet in the unknown regions of Nova Stratus; the planet of Reverence’s Grace is discovered. UCAF forces engage in battle with the covenant, and also locate the forerunner known as the Inheritor, his revelation of the human race and the forerunners changes the beliefs of the prophet of Amity who seeks to change the covenant, Amity vanishes from the Nova Stratus region and takes with him his most loyal troops in order to reform the covenant.
The prophet of Reverence takes his forces and steals the location to a forerunner ultra-dreadnought and begins to hunt for its location, the UCAF soon follow behind to deal with the rogue covenant leader and the covenant forces soon fall into civil war. All 3 planetoids are isolated however their forces manage to build a heavy resistance to the UCAF approach and the UCAF wait until the end of the hunt for the rogue prophet in order to regroup.
2550 the final battle rages after the discovery of the dreadnought Light of Grace, Himitsuki and his fellow Spartans of the specialist division of Alpha fight the covenant and the flood in the region and successfully eliminates the prophet and destroys the dreadnought in the process, Himitsuki and his forces are reported as MIA.
2551 the UCAF Iron Clad of the UCAF is destroyed and its occupants evacuate into the unknown depths of slip-space landing upon a world marked upon the UCAF database as Sigma Theta, a lost Arcadian colony. The forces present were soon reinforced by the UNSC Spirit of Fire which had been wandering for 20 years. And also a UCAF vessel which also survived the battle known as the Broken Dawn aids in the battle commanded by Commander Lauren Faust.
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Prologue
2551/3/22
Jace picked himself up from the cracked earth beneath him, his suit had barely handled the explosive force of the covenant destroyer’s slip-space core erupting and imploding the energy core and sending the damn thing to hell. He felt around the earth as he attempted to gain his bearings on where he was. He couldn’t see much, aside from the splintered glass cracked across the whole surface and pitch black.
He reached to the back of his head and removed the emergency pin to the helmet; there was a snap and a hiss when he pulled the pin. He reached around and pulled his helmet off of his head. He had his eyes closed, he felt the air rush out of his helmet and then he could feel the warm air around him. Cinders of fires of the Everfree Forest trailed the air, it laced around him like a snow storm.
He could smell the ash and the tin scent, blood, and sweat. He opened his eyes to see the world around him; he was not surprised by what he could see. The UCAF Towards the Broken Dawn hovered above them all. The battlefield illuminated its hard figure in the skies like an overlooking titan as it attempted to search for survivors and mop up survivors.
Jace looked around at the area he was in, bits of the covenant ship had fallen all around him, large metallic plates and shards of computers and crystal interfaces. He felt tired, he checked his Vital Gauge on his health, and it was red with alerts to his broken ribs, scorched left arm, and open wounds from the battle with the covenant Zealot Master.
He noticed that his left leg had taken a large piece of shrapnel; he couldn’t feel it thankfully due to the sheer amount of drugs being pumped into his body to keep the wounds from overwhelming him. He limped over towards the silhouette of the UCAF ship in the distance; he knew that the Spirit of Fire had been damaged from the earlier engagement, its engines blowing apart a section of the aft of the carrier.
Jace inside his mind pleaded that this was enough of a sacrifice, Jay, Carlos, and Mike had all payed with their lives to secure this bloody victory. As he continued to move onwards, he heard movement behind him, he turned around as a large piece of metal of the covenant destroyer was suddenly lifted and tossed to the side.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” He swore.
Jace turned around and drew his M5A the laser sight magnum had only 12 shots left, he didn’t know if that would be enough for him… Vesdarea the Zealot Master pulled himself free from the wreckage, his bloodied body in agony of the amount of a beating it had taken, he had a massive wound where one of his heart’s had been, Zaro had done his thing, but sadly it was in vain.
Vesdarea got his sights upon Jace, Jace’s hands weren’t stable, he had lost a lot of blood in his prior battle, and he wouldn’t be able to continue on his feet if he took another hit like the one before. Vesdarea charged forwards, but he stumbled from his wounds screaming in pain as he realised he didn’t have the immense strength he had once before.
Jace took his aim at the fallen Zealot and fired 3 rounds, each got their mark, 2 dropped the Zealot’s shields and then the 3rd punched a hole in the side of the shoulder of the zealot. Jace hated his condition; he could barely keep steady enough to get a direct headshot on the bastard zealot who killed Jay.
The zealot got back to his feet ever more angered at the human taking pot shots at his head. Vesdarea had a few remaining tricks to deal with the human though, he grunted to his feet and then activated his jump pack, Jace watched in absent shock before he rolled aside from the landing point, the zealot pulverised the area where Jace had been standing moments before.
He rolled to his feet again, and fired 3 rounds, this time luck wasn’t on his side, the 2 rounds grazed the hardened carapace of Vesdarea and the last took a scathing graze at the unprotected mandibles of the zealot who then yelped in pain from the sudden hit. Vesdarea roared and charged with his gravity pack at where Jace was. Jace had however planted himself right in front of a deck plating of one section of the covenant destroyer.
He rolled out of the way, but he felt another bone snap from the sheer amount of tenuous pressure he was putting on his already beaten body, he landed on his feet in a crouch and then coughed out blood. Vesdarea had very little control of how hard he was coming in for an attack and had rammed himself into the wall at high speeds; he had broken a few more bones and probably punctured one of his lungs.
Jace took his chance, in a painful rush he got back up and fired 3 more shots, this time he was right on target, 3 rounds punctured into the right thigh of the zealot, it cripple the zealot as he fell on one knee and gritted in pain, but that wasn’t enough to deter the zealot. He still continued and this time he was taking his fight with Jace more precisely.
He timed another jumped and this time Vesdarea jumped and stopped in mid-air as he made a drop upon Jace, Jace couldn’t dodge the exact landing point as the zealot homed in from the air, he landed next to Jace and pulled an energy dagger and sliced the air where Jace’s head had been moments before, Jace ducked and landed a blow upon the head of the zealot with his M5A and then fired his remaining rounds into the chest of the zealot.
Vesdarea staggered back for a moment at the impacts of the bullets, but still refused to go down; he grabbed the gun from Jace’s hand and then smashed his fist into the side of the Helldiver’s head. Jace withstood the blow but was knocked down; he instinctively rolled away from the zealot as the zealot smashed the place where his head had been.
Back in a crouch Jace charged with everything he had and then tackled the zealot onto the ground and began to pummel the head of the zealot into the ground.
“Fucking die already!” He shouted as he punched the face of the zealot into the floor.
The zealot grabbed Jace by the neck to which he got into a reverse grip and then attempted to snap the arm of the zealot’s off. He wasn’t in for an easy fight; the zealot drew his wrist daggers and took a stab at Jace. Jace knew that he had no way to deflect the blow, so he used his right hand and grabbed the dagger; the dagger went through his hand as he grappled with the zealot. He then used his strength to put everything into a single kick, he shoved hard enough that he shattered the left arm of the zealot which sent him to the ground and released the dagger.
Jace hit the ground from the effort he had put himself through, he had very little time for a reprieve as the zealot regained his bearings and turned about for another strike on the human who had defied him for so damn long. The zealot was determined; Jace could see that, no way was he going to die without taking him with him.
Jace readied himself as the zealot got his dagger out again with his only good arm and prepared for a rush once more. Vesdarea roared and staggered forwards without much luck on control, he was bloodied and beaten as much as Jace was. Jace waited for the strike from the zealot, but as he closed the distance, a sharp crack split the air and then Vesdarea dropped to the ground in a pile in front of Jace.
There was rustling from the bush as a beaten looking James emerged with Skyline at his side, the young blue mare held her lover on a barely stable leg, but James always knew how to get the job done regardless of how bad a condition he was in. James’s face was out in the open, he looked clearly burned from enemy mortar fire and plasma burns, he had taken on an entire covenant position by himself before the explosion.
“You always said there are no such things as fucking miracles.” He grimaced as he tilted to one side.
Skyline helped lie the injured sniper down as he collapsed from the physical exhaustion of the battle. Jace limped over to where his squad mate was; Skyline smiled a sombre smile and said.
“It’s over isn't it?”
“Yeah it is.” Jace managed before he collapsed on the trunk of a tree and lay there in a warm smile.
The roars of gunships came overhead as the search teams finally made it to the survivors of the helldivers suicidal attack upon the covenant destroyer.
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2551/3/22
Location: Ponyville
Time: 5:49 PM
The inhabitants of Ponyville watched the blood red skies slowly fade as over the horizon as night came, the smoke from the battlefield could be seen across the tops of the Everfree forest, ponies as far as Manehattan could see the smoke billowing from the forest, there was a lot of questions being raised as to what was going on.
As for ponies in Ponyville, they anxiously awaited the news of the battle; many mares were awaiting the news of loved ones, who went over to fight. The UNSC carrier CVF-88 Spirit of Fire remained in the outskirts of the town, it had landed at Whitetail Forest as it had little room elsewhere to deploy the 2000+ marines and machinery to engage the covenant. The UNSC captain Cutter was adamant about keeping many of his troops alive, and asked for those who wanted to stay and fight to go, they all agreed to.
The battle that ensued the previous week however crippled the carrier and left it sitting out for the remainder of the war being waged against the covenant zealot. The UCAF Towards the Broken Dawn was in the air circling around the Everfree Forest sending out recovery forces to gather survivors from the battle. As night began to fall, the beacons from the troops on the ground were fired into the air by fluorescent flares which seemed to encompass the region in an aurora of emerald and sapphire, violet, turquoise and magenta. It was a beautiful sight to see that was for sure.
Amidst the pain and suffering of those who had fought to save Equestria ponies gathered to celebrate the victory of their homes, their people and the coming future with the humans that they had so long ago forgotten. Princess Celestia and Luna were both gathered at Ponyville with many ponies that had left Canterlot after the initial surprise attack launched by the covenant zealots.
It was an odd amalgamation of high class sharing the same spot as those who they deemed as the lower class of society. They didn’t have too much of a choice especially with the princesses both in charge, and also the brilliant economist and charismatic Fancypants who began a civil discussion with some of Ponyville’s resident’s soon got the rest of them to relax for the time being.
It wasn’t the most stable place to have so many ponies living, but it was better than the now partially demolished Canterlot especially since there were some fires that still needed to be put out. Rarity was having the time of her life with the noble pony, but she was still waiting anxiously about the news from the battle, Spike had volunteered to join the alliance on their daring attack upon the enemy destroyer and was last heard exiting with the 22nd Young Blood’s as the destroyer was sunk.
Pinkie eagerly waited to brighten her friends and the members of the alliance when they returned, she knew that the last battle had taken a lot out of them, she was at the command tent with Fluttershy and Rarity as the reports came back. She was thankful that Rainbow and Applejack were safe and so was Twilight as much as she was scraped in the fight with the terrifying Zealot Master she heard so much about.
Down in Ponyville Medical, it was chaos as wounded from the battle flooded in, Fluttershy was systematic and calm in her responsibilities of those she was taking care of, too many had been wounded in the ongoing fight that had claimed so many lives. She was desperate to keep her friends alive, the members of the alliance she had met, so many young faces who would never get another chance at life.
Fluttershy in her heart felt the pain of loss of so many good friends, Kenson, Tenner and Lionel who had been part of the initial medical staff of the UCAF Helldiver’s they were all gone after the final battle claimed them all. She was all that was left to remember the members of the 355th Combat Medical Reserve Corps. She looked over at her silver medi-pad she received from the young medic Lionel, he gave it to her as he left for the combat arena, he was killed by a plasma inferno shell last that was recorded when she listened in on the combat reports at the command tent.
In the town ponies began to set up festivities for the celebrations that were welcoming back the survivors from their brutal fight, many were mostly going to be tired from the fight, but they’d manage for one night longer for everyone else. As the Broken Dawn cleared the Everfree Forest it set down on the outskirts of the town.
At the bridge of the corvette crewmen bustled about, an ensign collected battlefield reports and final combat records from the troops on the ground, he cleared off with handing the report to the commander, a young red haired woman, she had a deep navy coloured uniform that hugged her figure, her rank and insignia designated her as the officer in command of the ship. She was Commander Lauren Faust.
“David what’s the status on those recovery birds?” She called over to the XO of the ship.
The plain cut black haired second in command replied from the combat interface module.
“We’ve got the last survivors en-route back to us in the coming hour, do you want me to give you the full report?” He asked.
Lauren sighed and replied. “No I think there’s enough of this to go around.” She felt sorrowful at the thought of how many of her crew had paid with their lives to save the Equestrians with their lives.
She asked David.
“Are any crewmen busy for the next shift?”
“Not that I can tell ma’am why?” He asked.
“Maybe it’s time to get a little fresh air; you aren’t occupied with calibrating the main guns again are you?” She raised an eyebrow.
David changed from his busy self-reclusive self and sheepishly smiled.
“That was once, but I think I have too much as it is, the crew listed and those who have yet to return…” Lauren sighed. “But I’ll make the time for that later.” He smiled as he packed up and walked over to her with the last report for the night.
Lauren went off out the command deck.
“Eric can you take over from here?” She asked the AI.
“Yes ma’am, you and David do need time off, I’ll handle anything that’ll come up for the night, but for the love of god comeback before Sheryl’s shift, I’d rather not have to deal with her for the quarter.” He told the commander as she exited down the lift to the hangar bay.
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Jace felt the blood from his suit finally drain; he could tell that he was in a medical bay, the sweet scent of Fluttershy’s perfume permeated the air in rich wafts, it was a scent that most people couldn’t forget, but with so much ash and blood in the air many wouldn’t notice it now, aside from the helldivers.
He felt his mind review his previous status, being pummelled by an alien zealot and then nearly dying from a massive explosion that Pinkie Pie caused with her nearly insane level of thinking with the core reactors. Then there was a ton of other things that followed inside the ship as the battle ensued, Lyra and Bon-Bon going in with their suicide squad of Young Bloods.
Major Mikael Radeck was still alive or so Jace hoped, Radeck was a champion in the eyes of his marines and his fellow comrades. Being a genetic clone of one of the most famous officers of the old wars and the war against the covenant, it was necessary for the UCAF to have good commanders or officers to take charge and having Radeck would kick the UCAF into an overdrive against the covenant, which had initially worked.
Jace felt the soft hands of a nurse hold his arm as she checked for a pulse.
“May, Doctor Fluttershy report to bay 33?” The mare called over on an intercom.
There was rustling as the young doctor appeared, Fluttershy wore her sterilised medi-suit, and the bio-filters eliminated the traces of the bacteria and germs in the air. Jace opened his eyes to see her; she held his shoulder as he attempted to move.
She was cautious and carefully supported him.
“Jace you shouldn’t be up, the stitches and binding weaves that Dr White hasn’t finished healing, access to alliance medical supplies were stretched, but they managed without them. You need to rest.” She gently lowered the marine back into his bed.
Jace lay back and closed his eyes once more and then opened them to see the tired face of Fluttershy as she coped with the stress of the conflict that had come to pass, she looked 10 years older, but that would fade with the proper amount of time. But the loss of the other doctors held dearly on her mind and he could see that it was troubling her.
“Fluttershy, Klein wanted to say something before…”
Fluttershy listened closely.
“What was it?”
“I’ll miss you, if I do die, just know that there’s no shame in being shy, you are who you are, beautiful as any other who deserves to live. I hope to see you soon…” He finished before finally closing his eyes and sleeping.
Fluttershy said one last thing before leaving.
“Thank you.”
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SECTION: 1 END
This is all I could get done I’ve had a lot of other things to get done and so forth,