[center][b][h2]Vael 'Virisusai[/h2][/b][/center]

[hr]

Now that they were back on the Blockade Runner, there was not much time left to wait. The ship was invisible to sensors, but unlike some other capital ships, it did not possess active camouflage. While mostly irrelevant in space, once they came near enough to the Keep, they would be spotted by anyone who looked up. They had just disabled the only weapon in range that could destroy the ship quickly, but the city still had other anti-air defenses. The Blockade Runner would only have time to get in, blast open the outer walls, then deploy their strike force before it would have to fall back out of range. Aside from some light close air support, this would have to be a quick, decisive armored assault. 

Finally, a ship-wide alert sounded and the crew started rushing to battle stations. They were closing in on the Keep. Vael had re-equipped himself for the battle ahead. He changed his armor equipment, swapping active camouflage for a jetpack. With the verticality of urban combat, the mobility could be life-saving. He kept his plasma rifle and swords, as usual, but exchanged his carbine for a plasma caster. Similar to a concussion rifle, its explosive firepower would be useful against both vehicles and entrenched infantry positions. 

Human and Sangheili both were taking part in this assault. Swords of Sanghelios warriors were quicker to react to the alert, but once they had their orders from their officers, the Human marines were quick to rush to their vehicles. Scorpions and wraiths would comprise the core of their armored column, supported by warthogs, ghosts, spectres, and banshees above. 

[color=orange]”To your vehicles!”[/color] Vael ordered as he jumped up onto a wraith and climbed into its turret.