The Inconvenience of the Primarchs – CFV-88/Spirit of Fire
At Orbital Station 017:
The appearance of 017 is almost identical to a typical orbital defense platform. Standing at approximately 1.4 kilometers tall, its main structure houses a colossal electromagnetic cannon. Inside, it is spacious, with hangars designed specifically for Pelican-class ships and shuttles, as well as docks for larger warships. Additionally, there are areas with green vegetation, decorative elements, and astronomical observation decks to help ease the daily stress of station personnel and marines.
The main cannon, an 800-meter electromagnetic accelerator, is capable of easily destroying any active UNSC vessel. The command center can accommodate over a hundred high-ranking officers and generals, facilitating discussions, deployment, and coordination of Earth's entire defensive fleet. However, the panoramic sealed windows, while useful for observing external conditions, significantly increase the risk of catastrophic failure. Should a window break, the difference in pressure would immediately "suck" the officers and generals into the deadly radiation of space.
At this moment, the commanders responsible for the Solar System's defensive front are watching through these windows as a CCS-class battlecruiser, Martyr of Warriors, completes a slip-space jump. The two-kilometer-long vessel, guided precisely by coordinates provided by Cortana, has managed to bypass the Third Defense Fleet entirely and materialize near the orbital station.
Witnessing Martyr of Warriors breach their defenses, every officer and staff member in the command center is visibly shocked. The fact that Atlas's ships could appear so accurately indicated that their military network had likely been compromised by enemy hackers or AI. Otherwise, the crossfire net formed by the Third Defense Fleet and the orbital defense platforms would have shredded the CCS-class cruiser.
One of the naval vice admirals, noticing Martyr of Warriors rapidly approaching the station and deploying numerous shuttles, immediately turned to issue orders:
"Alert all combat personnel on the station to prepare for engagement with enemy super-soldiers and alien species. Notify the Third Defense Fleet to deploy Helljumpers and Special Forces to the station—quickly!"
"Yes, Sir!" the communications officer replied and relayed the orders.
A colonel stepped forward and quietly suggested, "Sir, the enemy's intentions are clear; they're aiming to take out our last command infrastructure. Please evacuate to the flagship of the Third Fleet."
"No." The vice admiral raised his hand, cutting off the colonel's suggestion. Staring through the observation window at the approaching Martyr of Warriors, he said gravely, "If we retreat now, they'll fire on us without hesitation. Besides, running away would only fuel their propaganda. At this point, we may as well face them head-on. If we lose, we lose with dignity."
The colonel's face darkened, clearly unwilling to "go down with the ship." But with the vice admiral issuing a "death order," he had no choice but to nod and then turn to leave, heading to the exit to prepare for a possible escape on a shuttle. Other officers quickly followed suit, leaving the command center to save themselves, considering it a waste to die against Atlas.
Meanwhile, the shuttles carrying Astartes, veteran elites, and gene-primarchs closed in on the orbital station, while the station's defensive guns began firing in intense volleys at the shuttle fleet. However, thanks to the elite pilots' skills, most attacks were dodged. Even when hit, the shuttles' energy shields ensured a safe journey for those aboard. Assisted by the Succubus fighters providing cover, the shuttle fleet ultimately penetrated the station's ports and hangars, albeit with the loss of a few Succubus fighters.
Inside the corridor leading to Hangar 3:
Around fifty marines, fully armed and rushing toward the connecting valve, advanced through the corridor. These marines were elites with the latest equipment, physically and mentally superior to the Sixth Army of the UNSC. In the Halo universe, the human military had developed in favor of the marines due to the era of interstellar colonization, elevating their status and benefits far above that of the Army.
The Army, primarily tasked with ground operations and planetary defense, often dealt with outdated equipment, whereas the marines were the main fighting force accompanying naval fleets and enjoyed far better resources.
Boom! Boom! Tat-tat-tat!
However, as explosions erupted near the connecting valve and the distinctive burst shots rang out:
"Agh!"
"My knee!"
Cries of pain echoed in the corridor as three tactical squads of Dark Angels Astartes burst through the breached valve, blasting the marines' legs with pinpoint shots. Despite their explosive rounds' warheads being disabled, the .75 caliber bullets were still sufficient to pierce armor and shred limbs.
The young but battle-hardened Astartes ignored the cries of the wounded marines, pressing forward to the command center, removing any obstacles in their path by sheer force. Even if the Third Defense Fleet's Helljumpers and Special Forces deployed to the station, they would be powerless against a hundred Astartes and a thousand elite warriors. Not to mention that Mortarion and Corax, two primarchs, had joined the assault. However, they found themselves in a somewhat "awkward" position.
Inside Hangar 3:
"Brother," Corax remarked, glancing at the blasted entrance, "let's leave boarding assaults like this to the regular troops whenever possible, shall we?"
"Agreed," Mortarion replied, understanding the discomfort. The narrow corridors and compartments of the station were not designed for primarchs, making it undignified to move around. While they could force their way in, doing so detracted from the grandeur associated with primarchs.
Fortunately, the elite soldiers and young Astartes could navigate the station without issue, proceeding with the original boarding plan. "I admit I miscalculated this," Mortarion acknowledged, not usually one to admit mistakes but doing so due to the longstanding bond he shared with Corax.
"Let's not dwell on it," Corax replied, observing that Garon's Dark Angels had already stormed the command center. "So, what's next?"
Taking charge, Mortarion approached the edge of the hangar, looking through the observation window at the Third Defense Fleet, which was repositioning to surround the station. After a brief silence, he issued an order to Cortana:
"Cortana, upload all footage of Garon Krovic's team capturing UNSC leaders and Martyr of Warriors eliminating fleeing officers to the local network. Also, connect me to all the captains of Earth's defensive fleet for a final warning. If they choose to continue fighting, the company will deploy more Leviathan-class dreadnoughts to end this quickly."
Mortarion added, "Also, broadcast this warning live, so the captains understand their choice will determine the fate of millions. Let's see if they're willing to bear that responsibility."
"Yes, sir," Cortana replied, setting up the broadcasts and warnings.
By "eliminating fleeing officers," Mortarion was referring to the plasma cannons that Martyr of Warriors used to destroy the shuttle carrying the fleeing colonel and his fellow officers. As the vice admiral had said, standing firm might have saved their lives, but choosing to flee invited deadly force.
Moments later, Earth's orbital space in the Halo universe experienced a brief "calm." Both Atlas and UNSC temporarily halted their exchanges of fire, though the Leviathan-class dreadnought's main cannons continued charging, ready to fire on the UNSC fleet at any moment. Martyr of Warriors, having decimated the UNSC high command, now positioned the station as a "shield," engaging in a standoff with the Third Defense Fleet.
However, Martyr of Warriors lacked the Leviathan's total confidence, so its Elite helmsman was already prepared for a swift retreat to the Eridana System, just five light-years from the Solar System, should the UNSC choose to fight.
Meanwhile, aboard the Phoenix-class support ship Spirit of Fire, an argument erupted:
"Captain Carter, are you seriously considering bowing to that AI's threat?" the furious captain shouted, standing beside the control panel.
Captain Carter, standing calmly on the other side, responded, "Captain Alexander, you saw how one Atlas blade-shaped warship alone can counter our entire fleet. If two more join, our defenses around Earth will be useless. Can you accept the consequences of fighting them?"
Captain Carter continued, "The UNSC can't stand toe-to-toe with their technology, and every encounter ends with our command structure being wiped out. Plus, Atlas publicly admitted they have super-soldiers and bioweapons. Should we keep sacrificing soldiers' lives over this?"
Captain Alexander fell silent. Carter's points were valid: a single Leviathan-class warship was enough to cripple their fleet, and if more arrived, further resistance would only cost lives and resources without any meaningful outcome.
After a moment, Alexander sighed, then gave his communications officer a heavy glance. "Inform Atlas that this ship will cease fire to regroup. Notify the other captains that Spirit of Fire will retreat to the lunar base."
"Yes, Captain!"
Thousands of light-years away in the Covenant colonial star system:
Led by a New Epoch-class carrier and Leviathan-class dreadnought, the Atlas fleet had successfully taken control of a resource-rich planet, continuing their campaign to wipe out the Covenant remnants scattered in asteroid belts and satellite bases.
At the command bridge of the New Epoch carrier, Samuel Young monitored developments in the Halo Solar System via the various reports and live footage displayed on the console.
"Boss," Apu reported from his side, "ne
arly 60% of the captains in the UNSC Earth Defense Fleet have chosen to cease fire, while the remaining 40% are undecided. I have cataloged the information for all vessels that ceased fire, including Spirit of Fire, CFV-88."
"Good." Samuel raised his hand, bringing up the detailed list Apu had compiled.
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