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Post by Coconut on Feb 2, 2009 12:15:32 GMT -5
The Rifters, so far, had done little more since their alliance with the United Nations Space Command than make their presence known around the colony planets of the Earth, and the various territories owned by the United Nations Space Command. The Rifters had been accepted with a mixture of anxiety, distrust or thankfulness. Yet Henno Xiang, the Emperor of the Rifters, cared not. He had far, far more pressing matters to care about than the feelings of humans towards him and his people. Indeed, so long as the United Nations Space Command itself and it's hierarchy stayed as they were in regards to the Rifters, which Henno knew they would, all would be fine. They couldn't afford to lose an ally such as him. Now, however, it was about time the Rifters started pulling their weight. Of course, all the United Nations Space Command had seen their troops and equipment, yet very few had seen them in combat. Now, questions were being asked, voices raised, queries voiced in regards to the actual abilities of the Rifters and the point of the alliance. Now, it seemed, was the time to show the United Nations Space Command just how powerful the Rifters were. As Henno Xiang stood aboard his flagship, on the bridge, looking out into the gulf of space with his arms behind his back, he smiled sardonically to himself. Oh yes, they'd very soon see the extent of the Rifters power. And then, questions wouldn't be asked again. The flagship of the Rifter fleet, and Henno's own personal ship, the Adamant, floated above the shipyards of the United Nations Space Command colony world of Atlas, the planet below slowly revolving during it's inexorable rotations that marked out between night and day. The bridge was lit up with the harsh, bright lights that allowed the various officers to go about their business, with Henno standing, alone, upon the viewing platform. Despite not issuing commands to the same degree as the Captain of the ship, Henno didn't need to; he was Emperor of the Rifter race, and so held supreme power over all of those who were his subordinates. Which was to say every last Rifter man woman and child. Yet he had a job to do, now. The United Nations Space Command had sent a ship out to combat the United Rebel Alliance and, after jumping to Slipspace, had emerged above the devastated world of Emerald Cove. However, a fleet of hence unforeseen creatures had emerged to attack them, forcing them to land on the planet. Apparently, the new SPARTAN Master Chief, amongst other SPARTANS, Orbital Drop Shock Troopers and general soldiers, was now upon the planet, which could be glassed or boarded by the enemy fleet at any moment. And so, it was time for the Rifters to earn their keep. Stretched to their limit, the United Nations Space Command couldn't dispatch the ships to aid their comrades on the planet. And so, Henno had stepped into the breach to volunteer the Rifters for the job. Beckoning over an Ensign, Henno requested an update on the current status of the fleet and, indeed, the mission in general. His voice was quiet yet his tone unyielding, and the Ensign knew full well that failure wouldn't be tolerated. "The Adamant and the various ships nearby are ready to enter Slipspace at will, sir. The courses are programmed, and we're ready. Awaiting your orders." Henno nodded, satisfied. "Ship five, this is Emperor Henno Xiang, calling upon Iynx Nyne. You ready?" Xiang waited a moment, before proceeding. "Your ship and all those under your command will make the jump to slipspace first, and engage the enemy. Ioannes Houchous?" Henno opened another communications channel. "You'll go afterwards, upon my command, and do the same. Salarz Zoran and Zoran Salarz will do the same, on my command, before I follow. By then, we'll have the enemy ready to be destroyed. All clear?"
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Post by Danny on Feb 2, 2009 16:29:33 GMT -5
"All is clear, Emporer," Ioannes replied, standing tall on the bridge of his ship. "Prepare all cannons and get all crew to their stations," he ordered. "Yes, General," a console operator replied, then pressing a series of buttons and making an announcement.
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Post by thundercavalier on Feb 8, 2009 11:43:33 GMT -5
A single ray of sunlight burst into the dark Covenant Light Cruiser, illuminating its passages with a bursting stream of endless light. The windows, by Covenant foresight, had been fixated with a filtering system so as not to injure any unfortunate soul exposed to the UV rays' full effects.
With this scenic outlook, along with proper illumination that brought out the clear, beautiful disposition of the entire galaxy, Ultros 'Elitoni stared out into the vastness of space. As a Sangheili, regarded to by the humans as Elites, he had always treasured the importance of other races, to preserve and protect peace and serenity throughout the Milky Way, and to one day unite the different cultures and civilizations that most likely were tucked in several Solar Systems away under one banner.
Until then, though, he stood proudly, the sunlight reflecting off of his ruby-red armor with a brilliant unmatched by any in comparison. Though a war within the persistent URA was imminent, drawing ever nearer with each passing breath, Ultros took this time to cherish the gifts that had been blessed upon him. The radiant sunlight and trustworthy, optimistic companions that easily brought beaming joy to a bleak predicament was an evident factor, as was his just cause and that he had been amply supplied with enough resources to guarantee his return to his beloved homeworld.
He could see it now. Sanghelios.... a tropical paradise with lush forests that spread out even to the horizons and pure oceans that reflected the beauty of the planet in its shifting water. Even from the space, its reddish hue given from unusually high amounts of iron gave it a bit of an eerie, yet calming and even tranquil backdrop. All Sangheilis proudly fought for their honorable planet, its very memory a trigger of duty and conviction that was matched by no other.
He let his thoughts return to the more pressing concerns at hand. While the Rifters claimed to be powerful adversaries, primary elements to easily conquering enemy factions with little loss of territory or life, they had shown little proof of their claims. They were also arrogant, snide, displayed signs of crude ineffectiveness as a result of their haughty demeanor. The Sangheili showed no love for them, and Ultros could name a few who absolutely loathed the Rifters.
Of course, they couldn't help but be suspicious when the Rifters offered their assistance.
"Ultros?"
Ultros averted his gaze from the serene stars that were distant in space's black veil to another Sangheili, a tall and lean one clad in Cobalt armor. His helmet, which incased his entire face and gave him a terrifying appearance with bulging emerald eyes, shifted uneasily when approached by Ultros. The jetpacks on his back rattled, slightly irritating Ultros.
"Yes, Haiten 'Flyiteren?"
"My brother and I proposed that we run routine maintenance on this craft, both interior and external. Therefore, any hull breaches could be corrected before we engage the enemy in direct contact. Such irritating distractions prove fatal if left unchecked for relatively long periods of time."
"You are given full freedom. Do whatever you please and return in the next few minutes."
"Yes, sir."
Ultros reverted his gaze to the endless stars populating the voids of space, hearing the sounds of footsteps thumping away until they were inaudible even in the soundless corridors. Ahead lay a peculiar ship of alien design, emanating an unnerving aura.
"The Rifters...." Ultros growled.
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Post by Spec-Opp Spartan on Feb 14, 2009 13:17:50 GMT -5
"yes all is clear..for the both of us" said Zoran. "ready the weapons and get ready to make the jump on my command..inform all of the other ships in my command" said Zoran. "yes of course brother" said Salarz as he walked to the communications officer and relayed the message. "why couldn't of he just yelled the order to the officer" thought Salarz as he walked back over to his brother. "is the slipspace drive ready yet" asked Zoran. "yes brother they should be ready" said Salarz. "SHOULD..should is not a good enough answer go find out for sure" yelled Zoran as he pointed to the door. Salarz sighed. "yes brother I will do so immediatly" said Salarz as he walked to the head technican. "are we prepared to make the jump" asked Salarz. "yes sir" said the head technican. "are the weapons ready..along with their firing solutions" asked Salarz. "yes sir the weapons are ready to fire on demand" said the techican. "good" said Salarz as he walked back to his brother. "everything the Emperor has requested is ready" said Salarz. "good" said Zoran as he turned his chair to face the viewing port.
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Post by Coconut on Feb 28, 2009 2:30:50 GMT -5
"Sir." The young man looked slightly nervous, and was sweating somewhat, the beads shining on his skin in the light. To be expected of a man serving on a ship for his first mission. "Iynx Nyne is ill; she won't be able to attend this mission for that reason." The Emperor was displeased, yet he had no real vent for his anger; understandable, and would have to be worked around. "Acknowledged. The others, however, are ready." He turned back to the communications array. "Ioannes Houchous, go with your ships." Opening the other channel, he spoke again, with the air of a man used to authority and command. "Zoran and Salarz, wait three minutes and then go. We'll do the same. Good luck, gentlemen." Henno turned and keyed off the communications link, to stop any sort of communications in return wasting time. If there was something desperate he'd need to know, and not anything else.
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Post by Danny on Feb 28, 2009 3:20:59 GMT -5
"You heard the Emperor, alert all ships under my command to make the jump," Ioannes ordered. "Aye, sir," the crewmen replied. Ioannes stood with his arms folded while observing the slip space portal being formed. "Portal has formed, all crews are at their stations and weapons are primed. Awaiting your order, sir," the crewmen said. "Very good, into the abyss," he said, adding a confident growl to the final word. His ship and those under his command formed a line and entered the portal.
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Post by Spec-Opp Spartan on Mar 2, 2009 15:13:34 GMT -5
Zoran waited for three minutes. "alright make the jump and inform all of the ships under my command to do the same and tell them to make it fast we do not want to keep the Emperor waiting" said Zoran. "yes..yes sir" said the communications officer nervously.
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Post by Coconut on Mar 3, 2009 15:06:54 GMT -5
"Make the jump." Henno ordered, turning to the officer and conveying the importance behind his words with his gaze. The young officer knew the importance of such a thing, and despite the routine task he'd been asked to do sweat had begun to break out upon his forehead. As Henno turned back to await the jump, he smiled as the stars around formed into incandescent lines in the jump, and then they were there, the short sojourn through slipspace over and Emerald Cove standing before them. More importantly, however, the Syphodyte fleet above it was what their attentions were focused on. True to reports, the Syphodyte fleet had chosen not to go down onto the planet to destroy the United Nations Space Command, choosing instead to destroy them with less loss to their own men when they attempted to leave the planet. That tactic, however, allowed reinforcements to arrive, as the Rifters had now.
A frown creased Henno's forehead; he knew not of this new race. He knew of the United Rebel Alliance and the Covenant Remnant, and the others - hell, the Rifters funded, supplied and supported them in secret, although it wouldn't do for the United Nations Space Command to know - however he didn't know of these. If powerful and numerous enough, they could be a threat to his plans... Best that a decisive victory was scored now. "All ships open fire." Henno said, his voice quiet yet deadly. The Syphodyte ships had seen the incoming danger that had just arrived from slipspace, and had turned to meet it, although their bulk was moving far too slowly. The Rifter ships, however, were facing directly at them. "Gentlemen. Let's test their strength. Cruisers one three and five of my cohort, combine power on that Syphodyte ship." The beams fired from the Rifter ships, arcing like coronal fire towards the Syphodyte cruisers.
There was a blinding flash and the cruiser reeled away, almost crippled, smoke billowing out form it. "Shields down, sir! Discharge from the blast even now attacking it's sensors." Good. So they weren't that strong. "Send out the fighters to harry some of the other ships. Ship three, move into position and take down the other cruiser. Ship five, cover if another cruiser or two moves back inwards. Main fleet of my force, attack the main bulk." With the orders to those under Henno's command complete, Xiang turned back to command the others. "Lieutenant Colonel Houchous, Zoran Salarz Salarz Zoran. Let's see how quickly we can wipe them from the skies. I want regular progress reports, gentlemen, and hard work. Good luck; let's have this over and done with nice and quickly." Keying out, Henno stepped back and sat, regally, into the command chair, to both give orders and to watch the spectacle.
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Post by Danny on Mar 7, 2009 6:16:57 GMT -5
"Of course, Emperor," Ioannes replied, then opening a channel with his ships. "Attack formation," he said, then turning his head to console operator. "Launch all bombers and fighter groups A through E," "Yes sir," he nodded. "Divert maximum shield strength to the front, we will take them head on," Ioannes said. "Aye sir," a crewmen replied. "Weapons and shields fully charged," "Get us closer," Ioannes said. Ioannes's Battle group moved closer to four large Syphodyte ships, that had turned to meet them. "They are charging their weapons," the crewmen advised. "Fire!" Ioannes roared, followed the roar and rather spectacular light show.
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Post by Spec-Opp Spartan on Mar 18, 2009 15:33:36 GMT -5
"launch everything we have at them I want these vermin wiped clean from the skies" said Zoran as he slammed his fist into the armrest of his chair. "yes sir" said the weapons and hanger control. "communications tell the same to every ship I have in my command" said Zoran. "yes of course Admiral" said the communications officer. He sat and watched the fighters pour from his ship and the other ships in his command. This would be over with soon thought Zoran. "Salarz for the love of all that is sanity go bring us something to eat you nad that wretched appetite of yours" said Zoran bitterly. "I am sorry brother..the usual" asked Salarrz. "no I don't want the USUAL after all it is what I have been eating for the last couple of days..and I am being sarcastic bring me the usual" said Zoran. "brother why are you upset" asked Salarz. "I am not upset merely caught in the moment of wiping these vermin from the sky" said Zoran. "why do you hate these creatures you have no idea what they look like" said Salarz. "yes but still they are vermin the same all who oppose us are scum that should be wiped out from the universe" said Zoran. Salarz left with that shocked at his brothers words..he didn't even do the fighting he just sat their telling others to fight for him..thank goodness he momentarily blocked his thoughts from his brother he could do it but it took alot of focus and brain power to do it but he kept this sentance secret from his brother. He sighed and got his food from the mess hall.
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Post by Coconut on Mar 19, 2009 15:58:12 GMT -5
"The ships, Emperor!" The young, enthusiastic voice of the officer made Henno smile, as his knuckles grasped the control board, decorum and appearance abandoned as he leant towards the glass of the windows and stared down on the ships from above. "Attack position of hostile forces moved now into a defensive structure; much more of this and they'll be covering their own retreat." Henno laughed aloud. "Fools! Do they not realise that just three Rifter Destructor Cruisers can punch a whole in that formation and clear them out from the inside?" The officer considered it, for a moment. "I'm not sure they've ever encountered people such as us, sir." Henno nodded. "That'd make sense. Make sure we don't use our most effective tactics now; I want to save those." The officer nodded; he was used to his Emperor's secrecy. "I'll move ships four, five and seven up, then, your majesty?" Henno nodded, and the officer gave the command. "We'll follow on behind, once the hole's been made." If the officer was surprised his Emperor wanted to make a more "hands on" approach, he wasn't showing it.
The three ships moved into position, focusing their blasts upon one ship whilst their revolving blasters pummelled mercilessly in a broadside which showed that the position of the victim ship was incredibly poor. The ship under the main concentration began to spout huge gouts of flame before exploding and sending shards into his comrade who, under the pummelling and the exploded shards which had just struck, broke formation and wheeled away. Two of the Rifter ships moved up into position in the breach to keep the gap open, furiously firing into the ships in the formation around, which wavered and threatened to break before they were marshalled back into shape by their flagship. Two more Rifter ships joined their comrades in pinning the gap open, whilst the remaining ship from the first attack swept in to drive into the centre of the ring formation, Henno's flagship following straight on behind.
Sharp, bright lights pin pricked the dark sky as the exchange of blasts continued, the Rifter fleets now pouring into the breach as Henno's flagship struck towards the Syphodyte one. Despite being outnumbered, the Rifters were keeping strong. Salarn and Zoran, as well as Ioannes, would keep the area outside clean, whilst the Rifters inside began firing. "Full fire on the flagship." Henno commanded. "Yes, sir." The officer saluted, smartly, logging the order to the gun crew, who responded by releasing the blasts of flame at the flagship. Three other ships were pummelling into the flagship as well, and, whilst it's comrades fought to reach it, the flagship began to struggle to break free. With a blinding crash, however, it's engines lit up with a gout of flame and the other Rifter ships relented on command to allow the finishing blow to Henno. As it began to veer away, ruined, and smashed into one of it's allies, the sky was lit up with the explosion. "We have them!" Henno roared. "Close in for the kill!"
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Post by Danny on Mar 21, 2009 1:06:19 GMT -5
Ioannes watched in awe as the Emperor's flagship decimated the Syphodyte one. A few crewmen cheered and Ioannes let out a satisfied laugh. "The battle is almost over," he said happily. "Recall all fighters and bombers, cover our flag ship as it moves in for the kill," he ordered.
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Post by Coconut on Mar 22, 2009 3:04:55 GMT -5
Henno smiled as his ships began clearing out the enemies above, the enemies milling around in confusion without the cohesion provided by a Commander. They were trapped between the hammer and the anvil, and mercy wasn't a thing Henno was used to, or planned to be, providing. "Take us down towards the surface." Henno ordered, to the surprise officer. "It's time we met these humans on Emerald Cove." As the ship swooped down, it looked almost majestic to it's comrades above, as Henno opened up the frequency of the channel with the Master Chief, greeting him. "Master Chief, this is Emperor Henno Xiang of the Rifters. We're in the process of clearing out the enemy forces from above Emerald Cove and, in around an hour's time, we should be ready to pick you up." Closing it, Henno smiled. "Fire on the hostiles, to show them we mean it." The officer nodded, the two blasts wreaking havoc on the enemy before the ship wheeled up again. "Now." Henno said, grimly, as they rejoined the battle. "Time to end this party."
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