Chapter 70

"We must attack now before the Humans have time to build up their military" Stated the Prophet of Truth. His agents embedded into the outer colonies have seen a massive ramp up of Human military forces and new military vehicles.

"The Humans have repelled most of our attacks already, so why should we send another fleet to attack one of their worlds and risk allowing more ships to get destroyed. " Argued a Sangheili of the Council of Masters.

The Council of Masters also known as a Command Council, is a command body typically active in each Covenant fleet. The council typically consists of high-ranking individuals, including Sangheili and even San'Shyuum masters and nobles assigned to the fleet.

During wartime, Sangheili troops are sent forth into battle by the Council of Masters, who typically dictated war needs for the Covenant. The Council also typically dealt with promotions, tactics, operations planning, and other wartime direction while having the authority to dispatch spies to the battlefield to report on the actions of field commanders, to ensure the officers' reports were not exaggerated for personal benefit, and designate sites of importance for Covenant attack, or reinforce certain defensive positions as needed.

With the loss of the Fleet of Glorious Interdiction which was destroyed except for the command ship, the Council of Masters are very cautious when it comes to sending out more Covenant fleets.

Even though the current fleet is much larger than the previous fleet, the Council of Masters still didn't know the full extent of the Human weapons. The current fleet called the Fleet of Particular Justice was commanded by the new Arbiter, Khega 'Votamee and contained 60 ships.

"If we don't move on to the Human worlds with this new fleet, then we will risk them becoming too strong for us to take out. We already have 8 locations of worlds which are located closer to their home world, if we attack these worlds then we can get information on their home world and then strike at the heart of their pitiful race" The Prophet of Truth argued back.

"If you won't take action then I will make you take action" Added the Prophet of Truth as he waived the Sangheili off causing the Prophets personnel guards to escort him out of the room.

As he was being escorted out, Truth had contacted Arbiter Khega 'Votamee directly. "Yes, Hierarch" Answered the Arbiter.

"I'm going to send you the location of new Human worlds that I want you to attack and find out information about their Home world so we can burn it to the ground" Ordered the Prophet of Truth.

The Arbiter didn't hesitate and replied, "It will be done Hierarch".

The holographic avatar of the Prophet disappeared from his console as Arbiter Khega 'Votamee prepared his fleet to attack one of the UNSC's inner colonies.

10 hours later, on the human core world of Actium, the local UNSC defense force was carrying out their typical duties. Within one of the Orbital Defense Station control towers, Lieutenant Killion Maxwell was sitting at his desk monitoring the radar like he does every day.

He and his team monitor the radars to detect incoming ships whether they be Covenant or UNSC. If they are UNSC then they simply ask them to submit their clearance codes for confirmation that they are not a hijacked UNSC vessel. If they are Covenant, then the Orbital Defense Stations will be activated, and a distress message will be sent out to CENTCOM stating that they are under attack.

But that has never happened since the start of the war, and he didn't expect it to ever happen since they were a part of the Core worlds which are tightly protected and have not been attacked a single time by the Covenant.

It was around 12 noon and he had started to get a little tired, so he and his friend since OCS school Lt. Sara Scott, had walked to the Mess Hall to grab a coffee.

Once they got their coffee they decided to stay and chat for a bit. "So how is everything going on with your wife" Asked Lt. Scott.

Lt. Maxwell sighed since it was nothing good "After I kicked her out for cheating on me, now she is filing for a divorce and has threatened to take the kids and marry the new guy that she is with." 

Lt. Scott patted his shoulder lightly "That must be stressful to deal with all of that then have to come into work, did you not request some time off to relax."

"No because that would only make it worse since I wouldn't be able to keep my mind busy and I would start thinking about everything that's going on and being at works keep my mind off of it while also giving me a sense of purpose" Said Lt. Maxwell as he looked to his left at a Holographic screen showing an image of Axel with the message 'Today's accomplishments were yesterday's impossibilities.'

Lt. Scott looked where he was looking and nodded in agreement after seeing the message. "He's an inspiration to all of us within the Navy right now, hopefully one day we can meet him."

Lt. Maxwell nodded in agreement as meeting him would probably be the greatest thing that he would ever have accomplished in his lifetime.

The two of them chatted for a few more minutes before the facility alarm sounded. "Alert, Alert, Covenant fleet approaching, all staff report to their assigned stations" said the AI program as it repeated the same message once again.

"Oh, shit not now" said Lt. Maxwell as he and Lt. Scott put down their coffee and ran back to their stations.

"You think the Covenant is really here or is it just a drill" Asked Lt. Scott as her heart was beating faster than it normally did as they ran through the corridors.

I... don't know," Lt. Maxwell stammered, his mind racing with fear. "But we need to be prepared either way." He caught a glimpse of the panic in Scott's eyes. They had trained for this dozens of times but still nothing could prepare a person for the real thing. Despite the fear and panic their bodies still moved and their minds focused, showing their discipline.

As they burst into the command center, chaos reigned supreme. The room was abuzz with activity; monitors were flashing red as the technicians scrambled to determine the severity of the impending threat. Overhead, the AI continued its warning "Covenant fleet approaching..."

Maxwell hastily took his place at his terminal and punched in his access codes, his eyes frantically scanning the data presented on the screen before him.

"What's the situation?" he demanded, glancing towards Sgt. Collins who stood nearby, barking orders at flustered staff members.

"Exactly what it sounds like," Collins replied, grimacing as he looked at his own display screen. "We've got multiple hits popping up on radar."

With trembling hands, Maxwell turned back to his console to examine the incoming data. A chill ran down his spine as countless red blips appeared on the map of their star system, each one signifying a Covenant ship.

In the next moment the Colonel in charge of their team barged in. "What's the situation" Asked Colonel Allen.

"We're looking at a major Covenant invasion, sir," Maxwell responded, his voice tight with tension. "Multiple signatures on the radar, at least sixty ships. They've caught us by surprise."

Colonel Allen's face paled as he processed the news. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves and ran a hand through his graying hair. "Are the Orbital Defense Stations active?"

"Yes, Sir they are" Replied Sgt. Collins who had already activated the Orbital Defense Stations.

"Alright good, has the distress signal to CENTCOM been sent" Asked Colonel Allen.

Lt. Scott who was sitting down at her desk replied to his question "Yes Sir, but I am getting some sort of interference from the Covenant fleet, they might be jamming our communications, I'm not sure"

"Damn it," Colonel Allen muttered under his breath. "Try to recalibrate the signal, Lieutenant. We need to get the message out."

Lt. Scott nodded; her gaze unwavering as she focused on her task. "Working on it, sir."

"Sir," Lt. Scott called hesitantly from her station, her voice shaky but clear amidst the chaos. "We've just received a communication from one of the Covenant ships."

Allen's brow furrowed with confusion. "What? What do they want?" This was highly unusual; Covenant never attempted communication before an attack.

"I'm not sure," Scott replied, apprehensive. "Would you like me to play it?"

The Colonel nodded emphatically. "Do it."

A moment later, a hologram flickered into existence above the central console – an alien figure dressed in ornate armor decorated with strange glyphs. The room fell silent as everyone turned to face the image of Arbiter Khega 'Votamee.

"Greetings," The hologram spoke in a guttural but precise English, its tone condescending and filled with contempt. "I am Arbiter Khega 'Votamee of the Covenant Empire. Your end is nigh, humans. Pray to your gods, for they are your only hope now." The communication cut out as the room erupted into whispers and murmurs.

"Silence!" barked Colonel Allen. The room immediately quieted down. "Let's focus on defending the planet. Contact the Lieutenant General and coordinate our intelligence with them."

The various staff and officers started to focus on their respective jobs as they needed to focus on defending the planet. The Lieutenant General in charge of the ground defense was contacted as they started to coordinate their intelligence efforts.

A few minutes later Actium's space above was lit up with explosions and cannon fire as the Orbital Defense Stations engaged the Covenant Fleet. The orbital defense stations put up a formidable fight but were heavily outnumbered and eventually began taking damage.

An hour later

"Sergeant Collins, what's our status?" asked Colonel Allen.

"Orbital Defense Station Gamma just went dark," Collins answered grimly, frustration creeping into his voice. "We've lost too many stations, Colonel" Colonel Allen clenched his jaw tight at the news.

"Colonel, Covenant transport ships have made it past the defenses and are entering the atmosphere" Reported Lt. Maxwell.

"Coordinate their locations with Ground Forces Command so we can intercept them" Ordered Colonel Allen.

Lt. Maxwell acknowledged his order and sent the data to the Ground Forces Command.

Meanwhile Lt. Scott had cut in, "I've got through! The distress signal has been sent!" A wave of relief washed over Colonel Allen's face.

"Thank God," murmured Colonel Allen. "Reinforcements will be here soon so let's keep up the effort" A wave of acknowledgements came from everybody in the room as they steeled themselves and focused on their responsibilities.

The first invasion of a Core world by the Covenant would start to see the new military vehicles put into action. As the Covenant drop ships entered orbit, they were intercepted by the new UNSC fighters but most of them managed to make it through thanks to the supporting Banshee's from the Covenant.