Author's Note: From here on out, some chapter's will exceed 2,000 words
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Tiberius had a lot going through his mind. After Noble Team had reported to their superiors about the Covenant's presence on Reach, Carter had briefed someone named Colonel Holland about Tiberius's presence. Holland asked several questions, and Tiberius answered them to the best of his ability. When asked about his origins, Tiberius gave what information he could but did withhold information until he could determine whether to fully trust the UNSC. After the exchange of information, Tiberius expressed his eagerness to continue fighting the Covenant. It took Holland a bit of consideration but with what he was told about Tiberius's fighting capabilities and how he massacred numerous Covenant squads and defeated two Zealots all on his own, Holland decided to evaluate Tiberius. What this means is, Holland would send him on a mission with Noble team to test his capabilities and whether or not he can be useful for the UNSC.
Tiberius would get his chance as Sword Base soon fell under assault from Covenant Forces. Tiberius did learn some things about the Covenant from Noble Team, the names of the various races that made up its military. Unggoy, Kig Yar, Sangheili and more. He also learned their codenames like Grunt, Jackal and Elite. Elite he knew, but he needed to do some more research when he had time. Right now, he had more Xenos he needed to kill. Right now, he was riding in a Falcon Helicopter with Noble Team. Nothing like the ships he's been in, but it'll do. The two helicopters flew over the oceans of the Babd Catha Ice Shelf in Eposz on Reach towards Sword Base. Tiberius noticed how Sword Base was currently under assault from the Covenant, he didn't know the capabilities of the UNSC Defenders so he didn't know if they could hold off the Xenos.
"Be advised, Kilo 3-3 and Kilo 3-4, your current LZ is too hot." Sword Control said over Vox.
Tiberius managed to get his Vox linked to UNSC Communications. How? Don't ask. He was thankful that he was able to though because now he can listen into what his potential new allies are saying.
"Roger that." Carter said. "Dot, Standby to receive and respond."
As Carter spoke, Tiberius looked at the large Covenant warship looming above the waters around Sword base. He was hoping they'd have the firepower to take it down.
"Yes Commander... coordinates received." Dot said. "Initiate immediate course correction."
Dot was an Artificial Intelligence Unit assigned to Noble Team, Tiberius met Dot after he spoke to Holland.
"The Office of Naval Intelligence Sword base is presently under siege from a Corvette Class Covenant Vessel." Dot Informs. "Due to the sensitive nature of this facility, use of Orbital rounds has been, for the moment, prohibited."
The Two Falcons swerve around rock formations on their approach to Sword Base. Tiberius waited for his chance to be deployed into action. Every time this happened, he remembers what his brothers would be doing. Quintus would be eager to land and fight the Xenos, he was always the eager one for combat. He's younger than most, but he's a good fighter.
"Regrettably, my efforts to obtain relevant data on enemy forces have been unsuccessful, however current defensive forces are insufficient." Dot explains. "ONI has requested Team Noble and their plus one's direct intervention to help secure Sword base."
As the Falcon's arrive at Sword base, Carter speaks.
"Alright people, we're stuck with that ship for the time being." Carter informed. "let's focus on the hostile infantry—give those troopers a hand."
As the Falcon's flew over the courtyard of the base, Tiberius watched as Covenant Forces battled against the defenders of Sword Base. Tiberius grabbed his Stalker Bolt Rifle and prepared to be deployed.
"Kat, Six, Tiberius. You're out here." Carter informed. "Jorge, Emile—you're next, get prepped."
Tiberius was only following Carter's orders for now, he didn't have to—Considering the circumstances—but the evaluation depended on it. the Falcon carrying Tiberius hovers above the landing zone before Tiberius leaps out of the Falcon causing it to tilt to the side. He slammed onto the ground, landing on his feet and cracked the concrete below him. Soon, Kat and Six landed beside him.
"Kat, Six: Push back the attack on Sword Base. Find out what we're dealing with." Carter ordered. "Tiberius lend a hand wherever you can."
Tiberius dodges a plasma bolt before he returns the favor by firing a few bolts at an Elite on an elevated platform. He then presses his assault forward while firing his Bolter at the Covenant. The Grunts and jackals stood no chance against his bolts, but the Elites stood a better chance compared to them. An Elite ignited his Energy Sword and charged Tiberius who turned his attention to him. Firing his bolter, the bolts flew towards its target and shattered the shields of the Elite, but the Xeno reached Tiberius so he had to dodge an energy blade before he grabbed his Power Sword and beheaded the Elite. The remaining Elite's focused on him while Kat and Six picked off what remained. Tiberius put his Stalker Bolt Rifle away and grabbed his Heavy Bolt Pistol. He holds his ground as he aims his Pistol at the charging Elites. The Elites opened fire and let plasma bolts fly towards Tiberius who returned the favor.
Tiberius shoots down one Elite before the next one lunged at him. He thrusts his Power Sword forward and right through the Elite's chest. He tossed the Elite aside before he took aim and removed the head of the last Elite with the pull of the trigger. The remaining enemies were down a hill leading to the entrance of the base. So Tiberius, Kat and Six went for them and after clearing them out, they regrouped by the base's front gate.
"Noble Two to Sword Control, Courtyard is clear. Over." Kat reported over comms.
"Head to the main gate to the east. I'll brief you as you go." Sword Control replied over Vox.
The trio moved to the main gate while Noble Six and Kat saw a target locator. Tiberius watched as Six picked up the Target Locator. Tiberius was about to ask what it was before Kat spoke.
"Sword Control, I see a target locator. Any artillery support in the area?" Kat asked as the main gates opened up.
Tiberius led the trio outside of the base.
"Limited but we'll prioritize whatever you need, ma'am." Sword Control said.
Once they get outside, Tiberius watches a Warthog race around while on fire before it was destroyed. Two Covenant Wraiths hover into view while a single squad of Covenant Troops shoot at the newcomers. Tiberius immediately opened fire upon the Covenant Squad and gunned them down. With the squad gone Noble Six sees his chance, so he takes aim with the Target Locator. Once he locked onto target, a moment later and shells rained from above and destroyed both Wraiths at the same time.
"Excellent aim, Noble Six!" Tiberius commented.
With the Wraiths taken care of, a Pelican flew in and dropped off a Warthog for the Spartans. Once the vehicle touches the ground, the Pelican quickly takes off. Kat and Six quickly board the vehicle with Kat on the gun and Six in the driver seat. Tiberius stood beside the vehicle before he heard a voice over Vox.
"The old Faragut Station has its own comms array. That should bring us back online with command." Sword Control informs. "Air view base has an Anti-Air battery that will help clear the skies."
"AA Gun is to the west; Comms Array is to the east. Let's roll!" Kat said.
"I'll hang back and protect the main gate." Tiberius said. "Burn Bright."
Six nods at Tiberius before driving off. Tiberius then rushed back to the main gate with the remaining Troopers who were in awe seeing him. Tiberius stopped running and turned to face away from the gate. While they waited, Tiberius saw a Phantom and Spirit fly overhead and go above Sword Base. Tiberius watched this happen.
"There's so many of them." A Trooper said. "How will we possibly hold this base?"
"Through our will to hold the line." Tiberius said, with confidence. "The Xenos seek to claim this base, we will not let them. We will bury the ground we walk with their corpses."
The Troopers honestly didn't know what to say. They had no idea who this was, yet they were almost thankful he was here. Some Covenant grunts and Jackals tried to assault the main gate but Tiberius and the Troopers quickly dispatched them. Tiberius then heard Carter over Vox.
"Noble Strike this is Noble leader: get back to Sword Base A-sap." Carter said.
"On our way, Commander." Kat responded, over Vox.
"Tiberius, where are you?" Carter asked.
"Outside the main gate with some Troopers." Tiberius replied.
"Alright, wait for Kat and Six." Carter said.
Tiberius planned on to. Once Kat and Six came back, rolling up in a warthog that looked damaged, they get out of the warthog and walk up to Tiberius.
"Thanks for holding the door." Kat said almost jokingly.
"My pleasure." Tiberius said.
They then heard Jun over coms.
"We're stalled in the Tower atrium. Kat, where are you?" Jun asked.
Six walked over to the keypad and typed in a code that opened the main gate.
"Opening the main gate now." Kat reports.
After the main gate opened, the trio rushed inside with the Troopers behind them. They blast their way through the Covenant Soldiers that dared to get in their way with the Grunts and Jackals terrified of Tiberius and the Elites doing their best to stop him. But it was all for naught as Tiberius was too strong for them to handle. After they dispatched the Covenant Troops, the Trio moved into the Base while the Troopers stayed outside. As they walked into the base, a green ball of plasma raced across the large room and struck something. Tiberius saw two tall and heavily armored Xenos with a shield on one arm and a cannon on the other.
"By the flame." Tiberius said.
"Hunters!" Kat called out.
The two Hunters turned their attention to Tiberius and the Spartans causing Tiberius to take aim with his Bolter and open fire. The Hunters brought up their shields and when the bolts hit them, they did get damaged, but not much. He then rushed to cover as both Hunters fired a large blast of plasma at him. The two bolts of green plasma exploded when they hit a surface.
"Do these Xenos have a weakness?" Tiberius asked.
"Yes, they have gaps in their armor, strike them there." Kat said as she shoots at the Hunters with Six aiding her. "Best to hit them from behind."
Taking this information into account, Tiberius peaks around his cover to look at the Hunters while thinking of his next move. He then gets an idea that seems risky. He puts his Stalker Bolt Rifle away and grabbed his Power Sword. Noble Six saw this and got an idea what he was going to do.
"We'll cover you." Noble Six said.
Tiberius nods at him before he takes a second before Kat and Six shoot at the Hunters to try and grab their attention. Once the Hunters locked onto the two Spartans, Tiberius ran out of cover and at the Hunters. One of the Hunters spots Tiberius and turns to him. It charged up its cannon and fired a lob of plasma at him. Tiberius dodged it before he got close enough to try and strike the Hunter. He swung his blade, but it didn't do much to the Hunter's armored shell. Tiberius then remembers that Kat said to hit them from behind, so he attempts that. The Hunter raised its shield arm and tried to smash Tiberius but the Space Marine dodged and got behind the hunter. Before the Hunter could retaliate Tiberius thrusts his sword into its back causing it to cry out in pain. Tiberius twisted his Power sword and pushed it deeper. He then ripped it out before he climbed onto the back of the Hunter and stabbed it in the back of its neck.
The Hunter falls to the ground dead as Tiberius rolled off its corpse. The last Hunter saw this and got angry so he rapid fired plasma lobs at the Space Marine. Tiberius dodged them and was almost hit by one of them before he slapped the Hunter's cannon to the side before he front kicked it in the stomach area forcing it back. The Hunter thrusts its shield arm forward and Tiberius dodges before he punched the Hunter in the face causing the Hunter to leave it's back exposed. Tiberius grabbed the back armor plate and ripped it off before he stabs his sword into its back. He rips it around and backs up as the Hunter wildly swung its cannon arm at him. Tiberius then slashed his sword and beheaded the Hunter. As the Hunter fell to the floor dead, Kat and Six walked over to him.
"Not bad." Kat comments.
Tiberius puts his power sword away and grabbed his Stalker Bolt Rifle. The trio then walk towards an elevator and step inside. Noble Six pressed a button and the elevator begins to rise. As it does, Tiberius can hear his Vox light up.
"Corvette's hitting this base hard." Emile said.
"Where's our orbital support? Got to be four platforms that could take it out with a single MAC round." Kat asked.
The elevator stops and the trio steps out before they hear the Intercom.
"Welcome to the Office of Naval Intelligence. An ONI representative will be with you shortly." Intercom said.
"I doubt that, very much." Kat said.
The trio engage Covenant Troops there were already inside the base, but they didn't last long against two Spartans and a Space Marine.
"Thank you—Lieutenant. You have been cleared for access!" Intercom said.
The trio passes through a door and once it opens, they hear gunfire and see Jun and Jorge fighting Covenant Troops. The trio joins the fight with Tiberius sending bolts at the Covenant. As they join the fight, they hear Carter over communications.
"Six, head upstairs and assist Emile. Jorge, make sure he gets there." Carter said.
"Depend on it." Jorge said.
"I'll stay here." Tiberius said. "Clear out any stragglers who dare to remain."
Jorge nods before he and the others get moving.