EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha could tell when the titan was close to being brought to ground, so she ensured she was ready when it was her time to act. From her satchel, she produced a filled black soul gem. With a deep breath and some concentration, she pulled the soul energy from the gem initially as if she was going to forge an enchantment, though that would not be the fate of this soul. As the gem shattered into pieces, she began to form a carefully constructed spell of conjuration energy: something into which she could weave the soul energy temporarily.

Their own allied forces only scarcely managed to clear out from underneath the titan before it was brought down in an impact that seemed to shake the ground around them. Even still, the titan seemed like it was only momentarily slowed by the attacks as it quickly let out a roar. “Fools!” It bellowed, just before the glow of cold flames appeared in its mouth. However, before it could make its attack, Ahnasha made her presence known. She stepped up just in front of the massive Daedra, violet wisps of energy swirling around her. The magicka in her spell was both greater than she could normally produce, and finely controlled. As the titan was raising up its head, she extended a hand forward and focused onto its eyes. Wisps of energy moved between them and the titan suddenly hesitated, its gaze also transfixed onto Ahnasha.

The Daedric counterattack, meanwhile, was picking up in intensity. War horns signaled their advance, but without the titan for support, their frontline might have been able to halt them with the assistance of Rossarm’s mages. However, there was an explosion of flame down the center that broke through the wards of even Rossarm’s best mages and burned warriors three rows deep into their lines. The source of the attack was not a massive Daedra, nor even a siege weapon, but a single mage. Front and center to the Daedric advance was not a Daedra, but rather a mortal. Or at least, the soul of a mortal. She appeared to be a Breton woman though most of her face was mangled and scarred by what seemed to be rather brutal torture. She had no hair, only a burned scalp. Her left ear had been removed, there was a long scar across her throat, her right eye was blind and glazed over white, and there was a hole where her cheek used to be that revealed the muscles connecting to her jaw. Her clothing was hardly more than the dirty, torn rags of a prisoner, yet it was the object in her hands that was the most exceptional. By its appearance, it almost looked like the Staff of Magnus, though if that was the intention, it was clearly an imitation. Nevertheless, the power she brought through her weapon was easily enough to break through their frontline.

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

Vael briefly turned his attention to the Mgalekgolo’s shield. Generally, they were durable enough to be all but impervious to the majority of small arms, but sentinel beams could damage even starships. Still, even in a damaged state, it would likely be serviceable against Human and Jiralhanae weapons. By Vael’s assessment, Tasuma was still equipped to fight. However, there was more for Vael to be curious about, especially the more he observed Tasuma’s armor.

”You seem ready for battle, but there is more I would know about you. I was given a document with your history, but I would prefer to ask you myself. You are unusual for one of your kind. Your armor, equipment, the way you act towards them…you have worked with the Humans long before the idea of this team was conceived. You also fight without a bond brother, yet the spikes on your back show that you do, or did, have one. I am curious what events brought you here.” Vael questioned Tasuma, though the two of them did not remain alone for long before there was an interruption. The Spartan, Aviza, approached bearing an energy sword.

Vael glanced down at the crimson blade. ”I question what such a blade is doing in a Human armory, but…it does not matter. In the hands of a Sangheili, a sword is the weapon of nobility. Of honor, and the symbol of our skill. Swordsmanship is among our most respected practices. You are correct that the sword has meaning to us, but you are not of our kind. In your hands, there is no meaning. Some may disagree with me, but for you to wield a sword, there is no honor to be gained, nor lost. You are not Sangheili, and you are not under our command. It is not of our concern what trophies you take. Regardless, our rules and customs regarding the sword are primarily respected outside the military. On the field of battle, even a lowly Minor may pick up a sword if the situation demands it.”

Again, Vael put his attention to the blade. His answer might have seemed dismissive, but he said what he believed to be true. Her use of a sword was not something worthy of offense, though at the same time, her mere use of it would not gain respect. In any case, he had no qualms about informing her on a subject about which she clearly had little knowledge. “To wield that sword in particular is not a matter of honor nor respect, but skill. That blade burns hotter than the average sword, but that heat gives it a fine edge in more ways than one. It can cut through more armor, stronger armor, with speed and efficiency, but with that blade it is possible to cut too quickly. When rending flesh, it burns hot enough to cauterize immediately. There is less bleeding, and if the wielder cuts too quick, less damage to surrounding tissue. If the cut does not find a vital area, your opponent may survive. A wielder of that blade is one who is precise, restrained, and skilled enough to always find his mark.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Shih and Vael 'Virisusai

---

Shih completed the first part of Aviza’s request before she finished her sentence, though in this case, she did not have the option to comply with the second. “I have compiled a report, and I can queue it for transmission, but our mandate for long-range radio silence prevents me from sending it back to the Thunder. At least until we positively identify the location of the insurrectionist base.”

Once he had his weapon returned, Vael went to the Mammoth’s armory to secure his sentinel beam and replenish his ammunition. The Spartan, Rex, did so as well, though the two spoke not a word to one another. Even among the other Humans, Rex kept to himself when not performing any tasks. In any case, Vael had no reason to disturb him. He had more pressing concerns in mind. First and foremost, he moved up to the top deck to check on the status of the Mammoth and its pursuers. Even lightened as it had been, the Mammoth could not hope to outrun sentinels, but fortunately, it did not need to. Once their vehicle moved far enough beyond what the sentinels were protecting, they simply disengaged. Looking at the outside plating, Vael could see plenty of scorch marks and melted armor in places, but it all seemed superficial. For now, their mission could proceed. There was no choice but to have the pilots of the Pelican join them, but as long as nothing else went wrong, that would not be a problem.

For a few moments, Vael observed the environment around him. They had landed in an arid, rocky desert, and he was unsure of how far it extended in any direction. Only a small fraction of Sarcophagus’ immense surface had been mapped, and the area they were in was not among it. There was as much distance between their current location and Paxopolis as there was between Sanghelios and its primary star. Truly, they could not know what was ahead of them; they would just have to be adaptable.

Heading back into the Mammoth, Vael decided to use the time in which they would be stuck traveling, though he was not sure of what he could accomplish that would be of value. Space was limited for a team of ten, plus the Mammoth’s crew, so that restricted his options. He ended up returning to the lower deck, and eventually set his attention on their most conspicuous team member: the Mgalekgolo Tasuma. While their kind were exceptionally durable in their armor, Vael did have concerns over how it might fare on an extended mission. As Vael approached, he took a moment to examine the Hunter’s armor. Though its base was still made of familiar nanolaminate alloys, there were some additions that were unmistakably Human. He had not yet had time to read Tasuma’s file fully and learn its background, but it was obvious that it had been working with the Humans long before the idea of Aegis Team had been conceived. “Tasuma, what is the status of your armor? Are repairs possible?”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

“I’m ready; just make sure you are.” Ahnasha replied, giving a concerned look towards the frontline. “The Daedra aren’t just going to let this happen. You’re going to have to defend me once it’s down. And maybe help with it until we can get it to the ground.”

The coordinated spellcasting from Rossarm’s mages was a sight to behold. Bolts of lightning crisscrossed through the air, some striking the Titan to force it to move, while other bolts arced just above it to limit its movement. Strictly speaking, it could have survived a decision to push straight through the net of lightning, it had no reason to subject itself to that kind of injury. It did release its grip on the cliff face and take to the sky, but it would resist coming to ground in every way it could.

For Ahnasha, she did not intend to just stand by and wait for Rossarm’s mages to succeed or fail. Climbing down off of Leaps’ saddle, Ahnasha quickly focused and pooled her magicka, concentrating it as her hands glowed bright violet. It was no token support that she was giving them, for from the two portals she conjured forth came a pair of storm atronachs. They were powerful Daedra, and to command a pair of them required a great deal of Ahnasha’s power. If she was right, though, it would not matter in the end once it came time for her to cast her spell upon the titan.

On Ahnasha’s command, the two beings of stone and energy unleashed sustained streams of lightning up at the titan. She could not command her Daedra with such precision as to have them aid in creating the net, but they could help all the same. They were powerful enough to at least hurt the titan, and more importantly, impede it from fighting back. The titan recoiled from the shock, sending a plume of cold flame just over the heads of some of Rossarm’s mages. The titan was not on the ground yet, but it was being forced down closer to it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Despite sitting right behind him in the saddle, Ahnasha had to shout somewhat over the sounds of the battle they were passing by for Fendros to hear her clearly. “I know you’re not going to like any of this, but…I have a spell. Something I’ve been learning from Neesa. I think it will work, I just need a few moments close to it. The first, and probably hardest, step is that we’re going to have to get it to ground. Not sure exactly how; maybe your father can help? After that, I can cast the spell. Once I start it, the titan shouldn’t threaten us anymore, but it’s important that no one attack it while I’m casting. That could break it. I’m not sure how long it will take my spell to finish, and it will take my whole concentration, so you’ll need to protect me too.”

Once the pair did finally arrive on the right flank, they would find the situation much more grim than the other two paths. It seemed that, initially, they had broken through the Daedra’s barricades like the others, but the arrival of the titan had heavily shifted the tides of the battle in the Daedra’s favor. Cold flames had immolated much of the ground that the allied forces had to cross, and anyone who the mages could not protect was subject to the titan’s wrath. Now, the Daedra were counter-charging from the front while the titan was clinging to the cliffs above.

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

Vael could still hear the muffled sounds of explosions from within the Mammoth as the rocket turrets fired back on the pursuing sentinels. He could feel that they were moving, likely at close to the Mammoth’s maximum speed. Sentinels, unlike organic foes, held no grudges. Once they were beyond the area the machines were defending, they would no longer pursue.

Although the Mammoth was a massive vehicle, its thick armor allowed for less interior space than it might have appeared from the outside. It was not exactly cramped, but to accommodate a ten person team, plus the Mammoth crew and the two pilots, they would have to use their space efficiently. The two Warthogs were held along a rail above the vehicle bay, so there was a fair amount of open space on the lower deck. The middle deck above them had some modifications to better accommodate its role as their mobile base. Just to the right of the entrance to the cockpit was a space that had been designated for use as the equivalent of a medical tent, while to the left was storage for their rations and other extra supplies. To the rear of the deck was an expanded armory, equipped with both Human and Covenant weapons. The top deck was mostly unchanged, apart from the removal of the mini-MAC. In its place was the improved communications equipment and sensors they had been provided for their mission, though it was covered by retractable armored plates when not in use. For anything else that the team might need on an extended mission, they would need to make due with what they had and improvise.

Until it was needed again, Vael intended to secure his captured sentinel beam in the armory. Though first, he approached the pair of ONI agents. He had allowed the female to make use of his carbine, but he found little to approve of in either of their actions. They had moved without orders, and did not return when ordered to do so. They were fortunate that the sentinels had not focused their attention on them when they moved beyond cover. Were they his warriors, Vael would have ensured they were punished for their insubordination, but at this stage, he felt it best to allow the Human commander to be the one to deal with the Humans. Still, his displeasure did come through with his tone when he spoke to Corporal Cohen. ”Return my weapon.” He ordered simply.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hjergir let out a roar. At this point his bloodlust looked as if it was only somewhat contained. He had more than enough years of experience to be expected to be able to control his beast, but he was someone who seemed to lean on its savagery in battle. Still, he was not so far gone as to be unable to answer. “Alright, then let’s give ‘em something to fear! Volley! Force them to ground!”

The archers near the rear of their force were not as numerous as the ranged threats from the Daedra, but they could still put ample pressure on at least the front line. Combined with the Dominion mages that followed suit, the Daedra behind the barricades had to worry about their own defense just as much as they did about fighting back. At the same time, Meesei pushed forward with the frontline while arcing lightning across the tops of the barricades.

In the center path, progress was slower, but they still marched steadily forward with every trap that they destroyed. The narrow path did mean that they could not spread out enough to overwhelm the Daedra, but that did also mean the Daedra had less ability to focus ranged fire on any specific part of their frontline defenses. They could hold, and when they did reach the barricades, it was Kaleeth that was the first to make contact. The tall metal wall in front of her reached even above her head, but she did not expect for it to be much of an obstacle for her. She found the opening between two parts of the wall, then shoved her claws into it. From there, she pulled the two apart, growling as the metal bent under the immense force she could provide. The Daedra on the other side had not yet reorganized their defense, as they had not expected the barrier to be breached so quickly.

On the left flank, Meesei was about to mantle over the barricades when a roar echoed through the valley. She turned her head to the sky and fell back down onto their side of the barricades. It was the Daedric Titan. The massive beast had been healed, or simply rested enough to rejoin the fight, and it was setting its sights on the mountain pass. As it flew towards them, Meesei created a ward and expanded it to try and protect as many as she could, but the beast did not stop on their flank. Instead, it flew overhead, past the center path, and towards the far right flank.

Ahnasha bared her teeth as the Titan flew over. If even one of the flanks fell, the Daedra could wrap around and surround them. They had to act quickly, but at the same time, they could not weaken their own flank too greatly, else they would face the same problem. Ahnasha had an idea in mind, though in truth, she was not completely sure it would work. Not that she would let on to that fact, considering how few other options they had. “Meesei! I think I know how to stop that thing, I just have to get close!”

Meesei turned back briefly, answering with considerable haste with the battle still raging around them. “Do it, we’ll be fine here. Fendros, can you get her there?”

Halo: Aegis Team

@Catharyn, I do not believe I see any issue. You can put it in the CS tab.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I apologize for not posting today, I intended to. I will hopefully work on it tomorrow morning.

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael ‘Virisusai

---

With the assistance of the rest of the team in thinning out the sentinels and drawing fire away from him, Vael’s shields recovered quickly. Ultimately, they only had to hold a few minutes, a feat of which this team proved more than capable. The machines, despite the power of their weapons, behaved predictably, so the team could easily manage the angles from which they could be threatened while supporting one another.

Grikgar’s attack was well-timed. The charge cleared a cluster of sentinels, and weakened the shields of a few beyond them, shortly before the Mammoth could be heard on approach. Vael moved out from under the wing for long enough to replace his sentinel beam with a fresh one, then rushed out to give covering fire as soon as Aviza gave the order to move. Most of the team was equipped to take some damage, but the Pelican’s pilots, who followed Aviza’s signal to move, were more vulnerable.

Just as before, Vael found it easy to target the sentinels with the beam, and especially for those with already-damaged shields, they fell quickly. Vael sprinted out ahead of the group until he was about halfway to the Mammoth, then turned back to cover those behind him. Fortunately, they had cleared enough of the machines before making their run that it was not too difficult of a task. He simply focused his fire on any sentinel that seemed to be pointed towards any of his more vulnerable allies. Rockets from the Mammoth provided support as well, though they naturally could not target too close to their position.

As Vael finally reached the Mammoth, his shields flared from a sentinel beam striking across his back, but this time, they held until he could make it up the ramp. Once the last of them were inside, the ramp raised up and closed them inside the safety of their mobile base. Even stripped down and lightened as it was, the Mammoth’s armor was still much thicker than that of the Pelican and could handle the sentinels’ weapons. The sentinels would pursue for a time, but as long as the Mammoth moved away from whatever it was they were protecting, they would not follow forever.

Vael could feel the sting of a burn on his chest. His armor’s plating dispersed the heat effectively enough to avoid serious injury, though, so he did not find it worth mentioning.

“We’re fine.” The Pelican pilot responded.

The co-pilot looked to be catching his breath, though he nodded in agreement to the pilot. “Holy hell, you guys don’t screw around…” He said, looking over at the rest of the team. Indeed, for the average soldier, the capabilities of a team such as theirs was nothing short of astounding. A normal squad of marines or Swords lance likely would have faced significant casualties in such a situation, if they even survived at all.