Chương 109: Chapter 107
The war had entered its final days as the Covenant was the UNSC fleets had subjugated majority of the Covenant colonies. The loyalist under the command of the Prophet of Truth were quickly defeated after the Prophets flagship was boarded by the Master Chief and Blue Team and killed.
Following his death, blue team continued to kill all Jiralhanae in their path until they ran out of ammo. And even then, they didn't stop, they picked up the weapons of their fallen foes and continued to fight until the final enemy fell before them.
Once the news had spread that the ones they regarded as 'Demons' had killed everybody onboard the Prophet's flagship including the Prophet and the Jiralhanae Chieftain, had completely demoralized the remaining fleets that were loyal to the Prophet of Truth.
All these events happening at once, including the fall of their homeworld, Doisac had forced the Jiralhanae to recognize that they were defeated.
However, this didn't apply to everybody. The ones who didn't stop fighting, had rallied under the banner of Atriox, refusing to give up to the humans. A few of the other remnants had also joined this group of pirates and raiding clans creating a new multi-species confederation called the Banished.
But this new 'confederation' was about to be short lived as Atriox, his warchiefs, and his fleet of 400 ships had gathered on Malurok to consolidate their power and establish a stronghold to start raiding nearby systems.
Their plan was to use the planet to hide their presence as it was an inhospitable world containing a number of barren atolls. Beneath the surface, however, are labyrinthine cities and elaborate halls that housed millions in comfort.
Large urban areas and keeps also exist on the surface but were quickly taken over by Atriox and his forces, creating his main fortress on the surface of the planet. He didn't bother with the millions living beneath the surface and had made a deal with the local leaders and Yanme Hive queens to not interfere with each other.
On the surface, the Banished had begun setting up bases and gathering their forces, unaware of the impending UNSC attack. Malurok was on the fringes of Covenant space, so they didn't think that the UNSC would track them all the way out there. If only they knew how wrong they were, then they might have lasted for a little while longer.
As Atriox and his Chieftains were on the surface, in Orbit the Banished fleet was on standby, watching for any enemy ships and welcoming any more ships that had decided to join them.
But what appeared before them wasn't a friendly fleet seeking assistance, but the entirety of the 2nd Fleet alongside Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree combined Covenant fleet of 500 ships.
Onboard his flagship, Axel was standing over the holo-table, looking at the formation of the enemy fleet.
"Miscalculation on their part," he said. His voice reverberated through the control deck as the crew paused their activities momentarily to listen. "The Banished believe they are safe here in this godforsaken corner of the galaxy. They believe we're too preoccupied with our victory over the other Covenant factions to notice their little gathering."
Next to him, Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree holographic avatar nodded in agreement. His own eyes focused on the enemy's formation. The alliance between UHE and the remaining loyalist Covenant was still fresh but concrete. The Imperial Admiral ensured that everybody knew who was in charge, upholding his deal with Axel who has so far upheld his deal.
"Orders, Sir?" Omni, breaking the silence that had enshrouded them.
Axel glanced at Omni. "Full frontal attack," he commanded. "Send in the first wave of transport ships to the surface escorted by 100 ships. Have Xytan's fleet flank from starboard."
Omni and the Crew members sprang into action, as his orders were relayed across the combined fleet at once. As the fleet sprung forward, a sense of anticipation spread through every ship.
On the holo-table, the enemy fleet's formation shifted as they caught sight of the combined UHE-Covenant force. Their large cluster of ships began to disperse, spreading out in an attempt to react and adapt to this surprise attack.
Axel watched their movements closely spotting a weakness almost instantly. "They are panicked," he observed. "Let us use that. Xytan, hold your formation until I give the signal."
The Imperial Admiral's holographic avatar acknowledged. "Understood, Lord Protector."
Meanwhile, similar to the strategy he had used countless times before, the transport ships had moved from their position behind the fleet as 100 ships broke off into a staggered formation to protect them from being targeted.
As they advanced, the enemy fleet seemed to be filled with uncertainty, their initial formation fracturing as disparate parts of the Banished fleet sought to respond to the dual threats. Axel smiled. Yes, they had anticipated a conflict but not one of this scale or so swiftly. The panic was evident in their disarray.
He turned his attention back to the holo-table, studying the rapidly shifting scenario. His fingers moved across the interface, marking the vulnerable spots on the enemy line and projecting potential movement patterns.
"Change course," he ordered, his voice calm even as tension hummed in the air. "Divert half of our forces toward their left flank."
Omni acknowledged, relaying his orders immediately. Within moments, half of their fleet was cutting through the void of space with terrifying speed, angling toward the weaker side of their enemy's formation. The Banished fleet's reaction was immediate; part of their force moved to intercept the incoming ships, stretching their already tenuous defensive line.
Satisfied by their response, Axel gave Xytan the order to move in. "Now," he said.
Without a word, Xytan gave the signal to his fleet. The remaining Covenant ships peeled away from the main body of their combined force and tore through space toward the Banished fleet's exposed right flank. The sounds of alarms rang out among the Banished as they scrambled to counter, their fleet's formation now hopelessly fractured. Atriox and his Chieftains on the surface could only watch helplessly as their orbiting fleet was picked off systematically by combined human fleet.
Through his Neural link, he directed the two Guardian Custodes to concentrate their attack on the center of the Banished fleet. This proved to be the final blow, causing the center to collapse within minutes and leaving the flanks vulnerable to attack.
Meanwhile on the surface, the combined UNSC and Covenant ground troops had landed on the surface of the planet and was met with resistance from the defending Banished soldiers. Atriox sent out all of his Chieftains to defend against this invasion while he himself also joined the battle.
This was the final major battle for the war causing all the soldiers to be filled with determination to finally end this conflict.
From his vantage point in orbit, Axel monitored the ground troops, his eyes tracking the blips representing each of his soldiers. "Divide and conquer," he murmured to himself, his fingers tapping out commands on the holo-table.
He split the landed forces into three groups; one to face Atriox head-on, one to flank him from the east, and a third for sweeping the westward approach. The simultaneous attack would split the Banished defenses further, offering an opening for a decisive blow.
Xytan's voice was heard over the comm channel. "The Banished fleet is crippled," he reported. The Admiral's normally impassive tone was filled with satisfaction. After all his losses in the war, he was now gaining countless victories.
"Good," said Axel. He switched channels and tapped into the radio frequency of his ground units. "Commander," he called out to General Kaidon, who'd been entrusted with leading one part of the split forces on the surface. "Proceed as planned. I'll be down shortly."
Leaving the bridge, Axel proceeded to a hanger, where he boarded a transport ship which was already prepared for his departure to the surface. With him on another transport ship was Hammer who was promoted from Commander of the 1st Robotic Battalion to the Supreme Commander of the MCUs, a rank equal to that of a Lieutenant General.
As the transport exited the Hanger, it made its way towards the planet, passing the wreckage of the Banished ships and fighters. After a few minutes, his transport ship had landed amidst the battle as Atriox's forces were attacking the frontline.
Exiting the transport, General Kaidon greeted Axel. "Sir, we are holding them off, but Atriox and his elite troops trying to make a push."
Axel nodded, "Keep the pressure up, I'll deal with Atriox and end this battle."
"Aye, Sir" responded General Kaidon as he continues to command his forces.
Meanwhile Axel headed to the frontlines with Hammer and a battalion of MCUs following behind him.
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