Star Wars: The War That Only the UNSC Can End

A new wave of Covenant bombing raids hit the city. The sky, already black with smoke, lit up with green flashes of plasma as shells indiscriminately struck residential buildings, streets, and any place that offered shelter. Explosions followed one another, shaking the ground beneath the fighters' feet.

In the center of the capital, Lothal troops were being mowed down. Soldiers in makeshift armor and civilians armed with whatever they could find fell before the relentless advance of the Brutes and Grunts. Soldiers' helmets rolled on the ground, crushed beneath the boots of the Brutes, as their bodies were torn apart by the Needlers' relentless fire.

"We can't stop them! Fall back! Fall back!" a Lothal officer screamed before being hit by a plasma blast that engulfed him in flames.

At the main entrance to the city, Noble 6 and Carter led a group of B1 droids and a few AATs in a desperate attempt to stem the tide of the Covenant. The B1 droids, with their trademark dry humor and unintentional sarcasm, were deployed in organized rows.

"Hey, don't shoot me, shoot the Covenant!" one of the B1s shouted as he raised his blaster.

Another B1 droid responded, "Why are we always the first to die? This isn't fair."

The B1s opened fire en masse, taking down a group of Grunts attempting to set up a portable turret. Though effective initially, their resistance didn't last long. A Wraith appeared from the flank, firing a salvo that tore through half the droid squad in a devastating explosion.

"Oh no, this is bad! This is so bad..." was the last thing one of the B1s managed to say before being reduced to scrap by the impact of a Brute's gravity hammer.

"Hold position! Don't give ground!" Carter roared as he fired his DMR rifle at a group of approaching Jackals with their shields advancing in formation. Noble 6, meanwhile, moved with surgical precision, taking out the Brutes with headshots while using captured plasma grenades to destroy the Ghosts flanking the lines.

The AATs tried to keep the pressure on the Covenant, but the enemy's heavy vehicles began to surround them. A tank, piloted by a Lothal soldier, arrived to reinforce the line, but barely managed to fire two shots before being destroyed by a plasma salvo from a Wraith.

"Carter, this isn't working!" Kat shouted over the communicator. "We have too many casualties and we are losing ground. If we don't do something now, the entire city will fall in minutes."

Carter gritted his teeth, his eyes scanning the chaos around him. "Kat, activate the heavy droids. We have no other choice."

Just then, a Hunter appeared on the battlefield, its fuel cannon firing a beam that tore through several droids and took down one of the defensive towers. Noble 6 ran towards the Hunter, dodging the shots as he threw an explosive charge at its back. The detonation was brutal, blowing the Hunter to pieces, but not before it spun around and slammed its shield into it, launching it into a wrecked vehicle.

"Six! Are you okay?" Carter shouted as he fired at the Grunts trying to finish off the Spartan. Noble 6 slowly got up, bleeding but still standing.

"I've seen better days," Noble 6 replied with a grunt as he lifted a plasma rifle he'd picked up from a fallen Jackal.

Meanwhile, Covenant reinforcements continued to arrive. Dozens of Phantoms were deploying around the capital, dropping more troops and vehicles onto the battlefield. A Scarab began to slowly advance towards the center of the city, its main cannon loading up for a devastating shot.

Satine Kryze and Ryder Azadi, from the makeshift command center in the government house, watched the situation in horror. "If that Scarab reaches the center, it will be the end," Ryder said, his voice filled with desperation.

Satine, still keeping her cool, spoke into the communicator. "Carter, can you stop the Scarab? It's our only hope."

Carter watched from his position as the Scarab slowly advanced towards the center of the capital. The gigantic machine left a trail of destruction behind it, crushing buildings and annihilating any soldier or vehicle that tried to stop it. "Six, keep their attention away from our lines. We need time."

From the droid factory, Kat was immersed in the installation's systems. Instead of coordinating attacks, her focus was clear: keeping the Confederate droids and vehicles that were fighting in the field operational. Emile, meanwhile, patrolled the main entrance, making sure no intruders or unexpected threats reached his companion.

"Kat, situation report," Carter called from the front.

"Droids deployed throughout the capital. They're holding their own as best they can, but the Scarab is another story," Kat replied as she analyzed the combat data. "I can redirect a squadron of tanks to their position, but it won't be enough to stop them."

Carter turned to a group of entrenched local soldiers. "Noble 6, I need those coordinates for the Archer attack. Contact the nearest frigate and have them target the Scarab directly. If we don't stop it now, we'll lose the entire sector."

Noble 6 nodded, punching the coordinates into his HUD and sending them directly to the Firebrand, the only UNSC frigate remaining in the system. From the comm channel, the voice of their commander rang out clearly:

"This is Firebrand. Coordinates received. Prepare to clear the area. We are under threat from Covenant cruisers; after launching the missiles, we will not be able to hold position."

"Understood," Carter replied. "Fire and take that damn Scarab off the map."

On the battlefield, the combined forces of Lothal and battle droids were attempting to stem the Covenant advance. The B1 droids, with their peculiar humor and poor efficiency, bravely launched themselves against the enemy lines, only to be crushed or disintegrated. One of them, before being destroyed by a shot from a Jackal, exclaimed, "This was not in my programming!"

Meanwhile, the B2s and droid tanks were a bit more effective, managing to slow the Scarab's advance long enough to give time for the missiles to arrive.

From the sky, Archer missiles descended like meteors, shining in the darkness of combat. The Scarab, aware of the danger, attempted to redirect its main cannon towards the incoming munitions, but only managed to shoot down a couple before the rest hit its frame directly. The explosions rocked the machine, shattering one of its legs and causing it to stagger.

In the factory, Kat, watching the real-time feed from one of the drones, let out a sigh. "That should do it."

However, the Scarab was not completely destroyed. Its structure, though damaged, was still operational, and its cannon was beginning to charge again.

"Not enough!" Carter shouted into the communicator. "We need to finish it off now. Any ideas?"

From his position, Noble 6 observed a group of Vulture fighters that Kat had previously activated in the factory. "We can use them for a final attack. They're ready."

Kat, hearing the suggestion, quickly agreed. "Sending them in now. It will be a suicide attack, but they should be enough to finish off the Scarab."

The Vulture fighters took off in formation from the factory, buzzing through the air in coordinated movements. One by one, they launched themselves at the Scarab in a kamikaze attack. Each impact caused massive explosions, tearing the structure apart until finally the machine's main reactor overloaded and exploded in a detonation that lit up the entire sector.

Carter, seeing the destruction from his position, let out a breath. "Target neutralized. Kat, good job. Everyone hold positions until the rest of the fleet arrives."

In the factory, Kat leaned back in her chair, exhausted but relieved. "Emile, mission accomplished."

"I hope so," Emile muttered, looking out at the horizon where the remains of the Scarab still smoked. "This isn't over."

-x.X.x-

The Covenant Queen sat back in her throne, an imposing structure made of dark metal and gleaming crystal that seemed to pulse with energy. The light from the holographic screens cast a reddish glow across her face as she watched the carnage taking place on Lothal. Her smile was wicked, and her eyes shone with a mix of ecstasy and sadism as a trembling human slave massaged her feet. Sweat ran down the poor wretch's brow as he tried not to look into the queen's eyes, knowing that a mistake could mean his immediate death.

On the screens, Covenant troops moved like an unstoppable force, crushing civilians and defenses with brutal precision. Explosions lit up the horizon, and screams of despair echoed through the intercepted communication channels.

"Perfect..." the queen whispered, reveling in the spectacle. "Nothing is more beautiful than watching them break, their hopes crumble under the weight of our superiority."

The floating throne turned slightly as one of her Sangheili commanders, imposing and clad in gleaming armor, entered the room and knelt before her. His helmet under his arm, revealing a face scarred by years of war.

"My Queen," he began reverently, not looking up. "May I speak openly?"

She nodded lazily, her smile turning into a flash of curiosity. "Go ahead, my son. Speak, but choose your words well."

The commander took a deep breath before continuing. "I have been watching the battle on Lothal, and I can't help but wonder: why not crush them already? Our fleet is a thousand times larger than the UNSC's. We could finish them off now, eliminate any resistance before they become a real threat."

The queen laughed, an icy, almost musical sound that made the slave take a step back. Her smile widened as she looked at the commander, her eyes shining with a glint of dark amusement.

"Ah, my brave and practical Sangheili," she said, her voice dripping with a tone of mockery. "That is precisely why you command the battles, and I command the fate of this galaxy. Crushing the UNSC in one blow would be… boring."

She rose from her throne gracefully, leaving the slave hunched on the floor, shaking. She approached the commander, her footsteps echoing in the room like an ominous echo.

"Don't you see? Desperation is so much more delicious when it is prolonged. The UNSC is the only worthy adversary we have ever encountered. Their soldiers fight as if their lives have some meaning, as if they can change the course of their destiny. That… that is what makes it entertaining."

He gestured at the screens, where UNSC forces and Lothal droids were attempting to stem the tide of the Covenant. "Watch them. Watch how they hold on, how they fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground, despite knowing they are doomed. There is no greater spectacle than watching them hold on to hope, only to have it shattered at the right moment."

The commander looked up, still in disbelief. "But, my Queen, if we give them time, they might grow stronger. Even now, they have found ways to resist that could complicate our campaign."

She glared at him, her smile fading momentarily. "Grow stronger? Please. The Galactic Republic is a corpse that does not yet know that. Its clones are flawed playthings, and its leaders weak politicians who will fall to any real challenge. And the UNSC… though they fight fiercely, they are but a temporary obstacle. We will let them play at war, win small victories, feel in control… until we take everything from them."

She returned to her throne, her expression morphing back into a wicked grin. "And then, when they have nothing left, when their fleets are destroyed and their soldiers broken, then we will show them the magnitude of their error. It will be glorious."

The commander lowered his head, realizing there was nothing more to say. "As you wish, my Queen."

"Ah, but make no mistake," she added, her tone turning icy. "The UNSC will fall, but they will fall slowly, piece by piece. For I… I relish every moment of their suffering. And when we reach the end, when this galaxy is cleansed, even you, my loyal Sangheili, will kneel before the perfection of my plan."

The queen sat back in her throne, reveling in the screens again as the trembling slave returned to his place. Her laughter echoed through the room, a dark echo that encapsulated the essence of her cruelty.

-x.X.x-

In the sky above Lothal, the Covenant fleet stood in formation, their ships blocking out the sunlight and casting an ominous shadow over the city. They were not vitrifying, as was their custom. Instead, they were launching targeted bombardments, as if reveling in the slow, methodical destruction of Lothal's defenses. Despite desperate efforts, resistance was insufficient. Ground and air defenses had fallen one after another, leaving local forces scrambling for every alley and building.

In Government House, Satine Kryze and Ryder Azadi directed the defense efforts from a hall that had been converted into a makeshift command center. The room was filled with smoke and dust, the walls shaking with every nearby explosion, as soldiers and officers came and went shouting orders.

"We're losing the lines in the east and south," one officer reported, his voice thick with panic. "If we don't reinforce those sectors, the city will fall entirely."

"What troops do we have left?" Azadi asked, looking at the holographic maps. His face showed exhaustion.

"Practically nothing, sir," the officer replied. "The soldiers still standing are fighting in the rubble. The droids are falling in droves. We can only hold on for a little longer."

Satine turned to Carter and Noble 6, who had just returned from the front. Their armor was covered in dust and alien blood, and both looked like they had been through hell.

"How bad is the situation out there?" Satine asked, though she already knew the answer.

"Bad," Carter said, laconic. "The Covenant is playing with us. They're sending wave after wave, keeping us busy while they destroy our positions. We can't hold on much longer without air support and heavy artillery."

"Where's the damn UNSC fleet?" Azadi muttered in frustration.

"They'll come," Noble 6 replied, adjusting his rifle. "But in the meantime, we're all they've got."

At that moment, a soldier ran into the room. "They're here! They're approaching from the west, a column of Wraith vehicles and infantry troops advancing on our position!"

Carter nodded, his voice firm and full of authority. "Everyone to their positions. We won't let them through."

The rubble and makeshift barricades formed a ragged line of defense around Government House. Lothal soldiers, battle droids, and a few armed civilians who refused to evacuate took up positions behind the obstacles, forming a desperate line against the Covenant troops. Carter and Noble 6 moved between the ranks, adjusting positions and reinforcing vulnerable points as the unmistakable sound of Wraith metallic footsteps and Grunt roars filled the air.

"Here they come!" Noble 6 shouted from an elevated position, raising his battle rifle as the first Grunts and Jackals appeared from the shadows of the ruined buildings. The Jackals, their energy shields raised, advanced slowly as the Grunts fired in uncoordinated bursts, their war cries echoing through the streets.

Carter positioned himself behind a barricade, watching the attack line with a calculating gaze. "Focus fire on the Jackals. The Grunts are loud, but those shields are going to cost us." His voice rang clear through the communicator, and the troopers and droids obeyed immediately. A hail of UNSC blaster and slug rifle fire rained down on the enemy, wearing down their defenses.

"Throw grenades!" Noble 6 ordered, throwing one himself. The explosion ripped apart a group of Grunts and destabilized the nearby Jackals, leaving them vulnerable to being picked off by the Lothal soldiers' well-aimed gunfire. Despite initial success, more enemies arrived, this time led by several Elite Zealots who advanced with relentless precision.

Carter led a group of local soldiers to flank the Zealots. They moved through the ruins, using every corner and shadow as cover. Carter, armed with a DMR rifle, took down the first Elite with shots aimed at the weak areas of its armor. When the second Zealot spotted him, Carter leapt at it, dodging a slash from the energy sword and sinking his combat knife into the creature's neck in one fluid, brutal motion. The soldiers accompanying him seized the moment to mow down the remaining ones.

From the sky, the unmistakable hum of the Wraith signaled a new threat. Tanks began firing plasma shells at the defensive positions. One of the barricades near the entrance to Government House was hit directly, sending several soldiers flying into the air and leaving a smoking crater in the ground. "Missiles on those things! Now!" Carter roared as he grabbed the communicator and gave the coordinates to the teams with missile launchers.

A group of soldiers charged forward with missile launchers, accurately firing at the Wraith. The first salvo hit the side of one of the tanks, causing it to explode in a shower of debris. However, the other Wraith adjusted their aim, taking out two of the soldiers before they could reload. "Cover them!" Noble 6 shouted as he leapt from his position and fired rapid bursts at the Jackals protecting the tanks. His maneuver allowed the remaining missile launchers to destroy another Wraith.

Despite their efforts, the Covenant would not relent. For every Grunt or Elite killed, more took their place. Lothal soldiers and droids fought valiantly, but their numbers were insufficient. A group of Hunters appeared, advancing down the main street, firing deadly plasma shells that ripped through a line of defenders. The soldiers fell into disarray, and the droids tried to hold back the onslaught, only to be crushed or destroyed by the armored behemoths.

"Concentrate fire on the Hunters!" Carter shouted, as Noble 6 slipped between the barricades, launching plasma grenades at the colossi's weak points. One of the Hunters fell to his knees as an explosion disabled his energy shield, and Carter took advantage to shoot him directly in the back with his DMR rifle, finally downing him.

Meanwhile, the Wraith continued to bombard. One of the enemy tanks aimed directly at the entrance to Government House and fired, shattering the main doors and sending a shockwave that shook the entire building. Inside, Satine Kryze and Ryder Azadi were helping to reorganize the defenders, but the chaos was palpable.

"We are being outnumbered," Ryder said, his voice thick with desperation. "If help doesn't arrive soon, we will lose the city."

Carter quickly contacted the defenders. "Everyone, fall back to the last defensive perimeter. We will fight to the end if necessary, but we will not let the Covenant advance without paying a heavy price."

The soldiers and droids began to slowly retreat, firing as they fell back. Every street and corner became a battlefield, as Lothal and UNSC forces desperately fought to maintain control.

The remaining soldiers and droids began to retreat, firing as they fell back toward the last line of defense. The streets near Government House became an inferno: plasma explosions lit up the night, and the thunder of gunfire echoed like an endless drumbeat. Grunts advanced en masse, protected by the shields of the Jackals, while the Elites led with deadly precision. The few remaining Lothal tanks tried to hold them off, but each shell launched by the Wraith shook the ground and thinned their ranks.

Inside Government House, Satine Kryze and Ryder Azadi watched in silence as the battle drew ever closer to their doors. On the holographic screens projecting real-time images, they could see the defenders being overtaken one by one. Defensive positions were rapidly shrinking, and losses were catastrophic.

A pale-faced Ryder broke the silence. "If this is all we have, we won't last much longer. No matter how many droids or Spartans we have, it's simply not enough."

Satine clenched her fists tightly, her gaze fixed on the screens. "We will not relent, Ryder. Lothal will not fall today, not while we can fight. If we are going to fall, we will go down fighting."

At that moment, the room shook violently as a plasma shell impacted near the building. A shrill alarm filled the air, and lights flickered. An attendant rushed in, his face covered in dust. "They've destroyed the northern barricade! Enemies are within a hundred meters."

Before Satine could respond, Carter burst into the room, accompanied by Noble 6, both covered in dust and blood from downed enemies. "We have minutes before they break the line. If we don't evacuate the civilians now, it will be a massacre. We need time, but if the UNSC fleet doesn't arrive in the next ten minutes, we won't be able to hold out any longer."

Satine nodded, her eyes shining with determination despite the chaos. "Do whatever it takes, Spartan. Lothal won't fall today. Evacuate the civilians and hold the line as long as you can. Ryder, coordinate evacuation routes. Keep underground shelters a priority."

Carter turned to his team, giving clear orders. "All reinforcements to the southern perimeter. If we go down, let us go down fighting."

The ground shaking returned, this time stronger. From the windows, the defenders could see fresh Covenant reinforcements advancing: more Wraiths, an endless wave of Grunts and Jackals, and at least two Scarabs that began to slowly move towards Government House, firing plasma salvos that leveled entire buildings in their wake.

Carter activated his communicator, his tone firm. "To all units, we hold the line at all costs. I repeat, do not yield."

The remaining defenders quickly regrouped. The Lothal soldiers, alongside Spartans and B1 droids, dug in behind the last of the rubble. Crossfire filled the air as the Jackals attempted to advance, only to be cut down by Noble 6's precise aim.

Suddenly, the sky lit up with a blinding flash. A deafening roar filled the air as several explosions rocked the area around Government House. From the windows, Satine and Ryder watched as Covenant troops were swept away by a precise orbital strike. Scarabs exploded in a shower of metallic debris, and the remaining enemy forces began to disperse.

"It's them! The UNSC fleet has arrived!" Ryder shouted in disbelief, as the defenders raised their fists to the sky in renewed hope.

On Carter's communicator, a familiar voice broke the silence. It was Admiral Arnet. "This is Admiral Arnet, Infinity in position. Sorry for the delay, Spartan. Preparing all-out airstrike to clear the area. Hold your positions."

The Infinity and escort ships began launching Archer missiles from orbit, striking the enemy strongholds with devastating accuracy. The Longswords and Broadswords quickly descended, launching strategic strikes against the remaining Wraiths and dropships. Within minutes, the balance of the battle had turned.

Inside Lothal's command room, Ryder Azadi watched the battle reports with a mix of concern and awe. "I never thought I'd see such a coordinated and effective force. Their soldiers... they don't just fight, they protect our people as if they were their own."

Satine, who had just entered after evacuating a dozen families, looked directly at him. "This is what they offer, Ryder. They don't conquer; they liberate. This is our chance."

As the battle reached its critical point, a Phantom-class ship managed to break through the defenses and landed in the center of the city. A group of elites, led by a Zealot commander, began to advance towards the government building. Satine, who was nearby, took the lead to evacuate the officials still on site.

An ODST appeared, covering her as she fired at the jackals trying to reach them. "We have to get out of here, ma'am!" he shouted as he escorted her to a warthog.

But before they could advance, the zealot appeared in front of them, knocking the ODST down with a brutal blow. Satine, unarmed, stood her ground, but when the zealot raised its energy sword, a well-aimed shot pierced it.

"Clean!" Noble 6 shouted as he advanced with the rest of the team, eliminating the group of Elites with deadly precision.

Hours later, the battle was over. Covenant corpses lay strewn across the streets, and Lothal survivors were beginning to emerge from shelters. Ryder Azadi, shoulders slumped but with a new resolve in his eyes, addressed Satine.

"Duchess Kryze," he began, his tone softer than before. "I have seen enough. Lothal will not survive without this alliance. You have my full support. I will have the local council approve the terms."

Satine nodded, a slight smile on her lips. "Then we will work together, Ryder. Lothal will be stronger, and together we will face whatever comes."

As UNSC troops began to clear the rubble and secure the area, Satine Kryze looked out over the Lothal skyline. He had won a crucial battle, not just against the Covenant, but for the heart of a world that would now be an invaluable ally.

End of Chapter 37.