Introduction
Floating in the endless void of space, a massive ring sat against a backdrop of mixed hues of warm color. Warm reds mixed with deep oranges as violent storms clashed in the atmosphere of the gas giant. For all its power and majesty, Behemoth held not even a candle to the moon-sized object in its orbit. For while Behemoth would swallow and crush anything that strayed into its path, the object before it would reach out its tendrils to annihilate all life within its reach. However, like the monster behind it; the ring did not look much like a weapon of war. Elegant designs carved into the metal making the exterior of the ring seemed to make an outline of some ancient language. The perfection of the circle that made the ring, smoothness of metal, and lack of marring despite millions of years in space spoke of the craftsmanship in the structure. The advancement of the beings who built it. On its interior surface, biomes and weather patterns could be seen. Making this a true world, one where a being could live.
The majesty and terrible power of the Halo stood in stark contrast of each other as it floated through the void. A reaper waiting to take the lives of all those in its radius.
Were one to be standing on the ring, turning their gaze to the sky; they would see fire raining down as if Gods waged war in myths of old. However, these Gods waged war not for personal gains or ideals; but for survival. One side of the conflict is the remnants of an alien coalition known as 'The Covenant'. This force, waging war against the humans they believed to be heretics to their religion. Their way of life. As these two massive forces fought tooth and nail for ownership of the ring world, they knew not that they were about to meet a new entity who would change their fates. Be it for the better or worse, neither party would know.
THE ENTERPRISE
"Mr. Sulu, take us out of warp. Let's see what we've got ourselves into." Came a voice from behind the captain's chair on the pristine white bridge of the USS Enterprise. After offering a reply of acknowledgement, an asain man reached forward to grasp a handle off to his front left. Pulling the handle along a slider slowly towards him, all on board would hear a low hum as the ship decelerated from maximum Warp. As the reality around them suddenly seemed to compress to form actual shapes and recognizable shapes compared to the usual stretched blue lines of a warp bubble, the bridge crew moved forward to get a glimpse of the new galaxy. Only to be surprised as what they expected to be empty space was filled with a mass of ships. Some blocky and gunmetal gray while others seemed to be oblong and purple. Shaped vaguely like massive whales moving slowly through the void.
The fleet of the blocky-gray ships had the large letters 'UNSC' painted on the side, and numbered only into the hundreds. One could see a slew of small dots, notifying boarding craft and fighters flying in formation around larger frigates, destroyers, and battleships. Each ship roughly equivalent to the Enterprise in size. In the center of the the fleet sat the largest ship by far. Just over 5 Kilometers in length, the words 'UNSC INFINITY' could be seen clearly on the side. Near the end of the ship, just forward of the massive engines one could see large designs made in shimmering energy; similar to those on the massive Ring-world in the distance.
On the other side, the fleet of whale-shaped ships moved slowly towards their enemy. This fleet outnumbered the UNSC fleet by far. It also happened to be the closet fleet the the Enterprise. A few ships slowed to a stop in space and seemed to slowly turn towards the new presence. Whenever hailing was attempted by the Enterprise, the other ships simply responded by letting vicious arcs of burning plasma race across the distance between them. The bright lights of each plasma torpedo tore through the space before slamming into the Enterprise's shields. The shields fell sharply from the rapid impacts, holding steady at around 34%.
Immediately, another hail hit the Enterprise and was answered quickly. On screen, a man who was clearly human sprung up on screen. The man seemed no older than 35, wearing a sharp military uniform appeared on screen. Looking a little bit shocked as he scanned the bridge before him and saw mostly humans. He waited for a long few moments before speaking. "Unknown vessel, you have wandered into an active combat zone. This Captain Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity. Covenant vessels have engaged and launched boarding vessels. Move towards our fleet if you wish to live, details can be discussed after we take care of the enemy." the man said simply. Seconds later multiple impacts could be heard throughout the ship as boarding vessels pierced the hull and covenant forces came out shooting. Forced with no other option, the the captain of the Enterprise agreed and began to move towards the fleet hailing them. Consequently also moving towards the ring world.
Further below, amid the screams of terrified crew members as alien forces swarmed the ship and began mowing down anything that moved. Stalking through the ship like hunters moving on their prey. Each shot of their plasma weaponry brining with it the scent of burnt flesh and death. However, amid the chaos of the attack and some of the Enterprise valiantly fighting for their ship; another hunter prowled the ship. This one brought with it the scent of gunsmoke, spent brass, and dying alien bodies. This hunter was actually three individuals, two humans in full body armor and a black helmet with reflective visors. The letters 'ODST' could be read across their chest plates as they moved through the ship alongside one other. This one towered 6' 5 and wore a solid suit of powered armor. The heavy footfalls could be heard with the same weight as the eight foot tall aliens moving through the halls.
His slit of a visor completely reflective, and the mechanical sound of the powered armor gave no indication of whether this was man or machine. Couple that with the total silence and brutal efficiency with which this hunter moved through the ship, those that met him would often mistake him for a robot.
The Spartan
Coming up on a group of elites, surrounding what seemed to be a small girl; the Spartan couldn't exactly get a good look past the group of six sangehili surrounding her. The Spartan raised an armored gauntlet. Signalling the two ODSTs alongside him to stop. Making a flurry of hand movements, the Spartan communicated his wishes to the two next to him. Moving quietly ahead, the Spartan drew his blade and activated the energy covering. Without any word or ceremony, he lunged forward and shoved the sword clean through the enemies' back. The point sticking out of the alien's chest in front of the girl. The weapon seemed to stick there for a second before all hell broke loose.
Yanking the sword straight sideways, the spartan cut the Elite's torso off. Watching it slide away and hit the floor. At the same moment, two loud gunshots echoed through the cramped hall as powerful rifles were fired. Before one could blink, two elite's heads exploded in a spray of bone and blood. Decimated by the anti-matter rifle each ODST held. The Spartan sheated his sword and pulled a simple rifle from his back. In the next second he fired the thrusters on his armor, surging forward and slamming the nearest elite into the wall. Of course, this led to a dent in the pristine wall. Immediately, the boy shoved the muzzle of the rifle between the split mandibles and pulled the trigger. Blowing it's brains out in an immediate killing blow. Within half a second later, the last two elites died from the ODSTs. Ending the encounter in a mere few seconds.
The boy turned towards the girl, staring for a few seconds before tilting his head to the side. Almost questioning why the girl had... twin tails and ears like a fox. "You hurt?" Came a blunt response from the boy, his voice deep and robotic sounding from the speaker in his helmet.
Floors below, a lone grunt made its way into the warp core past all the dead bodies. Strapped to its chest was a large plasma charge, ready to detonate its target at will. Aiming to destroy the new heretics who had appeared.