Cyberpunk: Spartan Walker

Sergeant Rowan Kelvin, 1427 hours.

The red light from the collision of the plasma torpedo with the Covenant destroyer illuminated the cockpit of the Longsword interceptor, followed by the crackling sound of metal debris thrown up when the shooter missile exploded and hit the fuselage. Voice.

Looking through the display screen connected to the tail camera, the Covenant destroyer was beaten to pieces, the metal of the hull was melted into a slightly shiny dark red light group, and internal explosions occurred one after another, with mushroom-shaped flames rising up. .

This rare sight made Sergeant Kelvin laugh heartily - Captain Di Qing once again smashed the covenant offal.

At this time, the unique spherical outline of the Covenant cruiser quickly magnified in the observation window in front of the Longsword interceptor.

It's almost time

He turned off the beeping alarm and pressed the red button on the console - the Shiva-style nuclear bomb carried on the interceptor began to warm up.

The sergeant took a deep breath—it would have been nice to have a Dianthus cigar handy.

To be honest, he didn't regret making this decision, after all, he didn't have a wife or children.

So, what does it feel like to marry a wife, have children, and live an ordinary life?

The humming sound of the interceptor engine and the trembling sensation on his butt brought him back to his thoughts. Now that he was getting closer to the cruiser, in order not to reveal his position and confirm that his speed had reached the maximum, he stood up and turned off the engine, and the cabin quickly became quiet.

He looked at the display screen on the left, which showed that the Yuanzhu was orbiting the backside of the Zhonghaina Blue Star, and was suddenly accelerating with the help of the planet's gravity. At this time, he discovered that the brightest position light on the port side of the Yongzhu was flashing long-short-long-long-short - this was the signal used by the hell paratroopers to express their respect.

A sense of heroism emerged and he grinned. Rough hands opened the protective cover on the console, and then photographed the detonation button.

He put his legs on the console and sunk into the seat. This time he didn't have to worry about his military appearance.

First there was a dazzling flash, then a fiery yellow sun rising beside the Covenant cruiser.

——

Major Di Qing, 1417 hours.

Looking at the three Covenant spaceships on the display screen, Di Qing thought carefully.

As we all know, human ships are not as advanced as the Covenant ships. In terms of speed, human ships can only follow behind and eat ashes. And they have already lost their best chance of escape, and now they can only give it a try. But this does not mean that they have no chance of winning. The remaining crystal means that the Covenant cannot attack them freely.

Not only that, this scene seemed familiar - the same disparity in power between the enemy and ourselves, the same ship-to-ship battle that broke out next to the planet, the same inescapability. It reminded her of a tactics seminar she attended two months ago. At the meeting, they analyzed in detail the amazing tactical moves made by Colonel Jacob Keyes in the battle for the fourth planet in the Octanus Delta system.

She listened very carefully because Colonel Keyes had served as her instructor at the Lunar Unkai Reserve Officer Academy. But the current actual situation is different, and she cannot copy it.

Her eyes swept across the excited or nervous faces of every officer on the bridge. They were all waiting for her to give orders.

Warrant Officer Kamano Nana, turn on the safety of all weapon systems, put the missile control personnel in place, preheat the magnetic accelerator cannon, and at the same time disable the safety of a Shiva-style nuclear bomb.

Yes, sir. Kamano Nana accepted the order, her slender hands dexterously tapping on the keyboard, making it impossible for anyone to tell that she was a newcomer.

Ellie, how many Long Sword interceptors are there in the hangar? Di Qing asked.

Five, Captain. Ellie paused briefly, then replied, But we no longer have pilots.

Lieutenant Lucius, ask Lieutenant Anthony if there are any Marines who can fly interceptors.

Spartans shouldn't waste time in a place like this unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, he has a more important task in the entire combat plan.

Yes, sir. The lieutenant lowered his head and listened intently to the reply coming from the headset, Sergeant Kelvin of the Hidden Fox Team said he can fly the Long Sword interceptor.

Put the nuclear bomb on the interceptor and let the sergeant give us a chance. Di Qing's face was very ugly. Sending his soldiers to hell by hand would not make people feel happy at any time.

——

The edge of the Yongzhu hangar.

The fierce battle did not affect this place too much. There were only a few corpses of Grunts lying on the ground, and a strange smell of machine oil and blood lingered in the air.

Sergeant Kelvin gave his final instructions to the remaining three members of the Hidden Fox Team.

Team Hidden Fox, we have all seen the colonel's commanding ability, and you will be his from now on. Sergeant Kelvin turned around and looked at Tommy, Spartan warriors, I believe that the hell paratroopers will eventually replace you. He reached out and pulled off the military registration tag hanging around his neck and stuffed it into Tommy's hand, But now, don't let me die worthless.

Tommy was speechless, holding his hand and nodding slightly to him.

After receiving the answer, Sergeant Kelvin strode towards the Long Sword interceptor. The white light of the hangar shone on him like a layer of salt.

It was very quiet here, except for the snap sound of the sergeant's military boots contacting the deck, and the only sound was the slight sobs of Corporal Aurora.

Salute! All the Marines present stood at attention and saluted.

Rebecca looked at this scene, and many feelings suddenly came to her heart.

——

The bridge of the Yongzhu.

Sergeant Kelvin has set off. Lieutenant Lucius reported to Di Qing.

Copy that, Di Qing said, Cancel the engine safety system, continue to maintain emergency speed, and turn to 713.

Lieutenant Theodore looked at the course that was about to hit the enemy destroyer and was stunned for a moment, and then asked: Sir, 'Case Turn'?

Very smart, Lieutenant. Di Qing didn't look at her, her eyes focused on the display screen in front of her, It's the 'Case Spin'.

Implementing this tactic was simply suicidal, so the bridge was briefly quiet, but soon resumed its previous rustling sound.

Di Qing wanted to hold on to the brass guardrail to hide her uneasiness, but her free hand made her realize that the previous battle with the elite had split this thing into several pieces. So she had to sit back in the captain's seat unnaturally.

His subordinates looked at the monitors, glancing nervously at him from time to time and then back to the screen.

Di Qing glanced at the display screen beside her: The Covenant frigate had no idea that the Yinchu would dare to launch a counterattack and rush straight towards the destroyer, so it could only start the engine in a hurry and watch the Yinchu helplessly. Come.

The major picked up the computer and quickly calculated: speed, mass and heading. If only Ellie was still here - but she had a more pressing mission with Tommy. How long will it take for the Yuanqiu probe to enter the orbit of the Haina Blue star in the Omega Orion galaxy? He came up with a result, then subtracted sixty percent, and they would either speed up... or be intercepted by a Covenant frigate after that time.

Di Qing connected the computer to the navigation system, and then set a countdown time based on the expected detonation time fed back by Sergeant Kelvin. Warrant Officer Nana Kamano, how is the situation with the magnetic accelerator cannon?

Kamano Nana's slender arms moved quickly on the control panel, The magnetic accelerator cannon is still in a warm-up state, sir.

Stop preheating, Warrant Officer. Di Qing ordered, Lieutenant Hicks, convert the energy to keep the magnetic accelerator cannon's capacitor at full load, and then transfer it to the engine.

Conversion completed, sir, Lieutenant Hicks responded. The engines are now running at one hundred and ten percent and will reach peak in one minute.

Small red spots appeared on the outer shell of the Covenant ship, increasing in number, and the wells began to gather along the gap in the side of the ship.

Engage the enemy! Engage the enemy! Lieutenant Lucius shouted, The enemy ship has launched a plasma torpedo, sir, we will be hit in ten seconds.

The blood-red light that gathered on the side of the spacecraft finally broke away from the hull, erupted forward, and hit the Yongzhu. The pulsating red light is like a liquid, with its edges constantly deforming, and eventually extending into a red teardrop about five meters long that flows in space.

Need to correct course, sir? Lieutenant Theodore asked, lifting up her sweat-soaked red hair as she spoke.

No need. Di Qing replied, Follow the original route. Load shooter missile launch bays A1 to F2. Calculate the launch trajectory immediately and adjust the launch angle to 217 degrees.

As you command, sir.

The distance is thirty-seven kilometers, Lieutenant Lucius looked back at Di Qing, We will encounter a plasma torpedo in two seconds.

Red light filled the entire screen. The red object in the center appeared blue and began to emit yellow-green light to the surroundings. The spectral frequency began to shift blue, and the bridge became hot.

Evasive action, Lieutenant Hicks! Di Qing shouted, Activate the starboard emergency thruster!

The emergency thrusters are several fuel tanks containing trihydrotetrazine and hydrogen peroxide. Once the two are mixed, they will be extremely powerful - they can directly adjust the Yinchu to a new course. The major selected six points on the hull of the craft to place such fuel tanks.

Lieutenant Hicks resolutely activated the emergency thruster. The outer shell of the spacecraft made a loud rumbling sound - Di Qing, who had been prepared for it, was pulled hard by the seat belt on her seat, but it was better than falling to the ground awkwardly.

Turn on the rear camera. Di Qing ordered.

You can see through the display screen that a beating red ball is following them like a will-o'-the-wisp.

Monitor their speed. Di Qing said to Lieutenant Hicks.

Yes, sir. the lieutenant replied. He subconsciously tried to adjust his glasses, but found that there was nothing on the bridge of his nose. The plasma torpedo is accelerating and has caught up with our speed... now it is exceeded. Forty-three seconds later They will intercept us.

Front camera. Di Qing ordered.

The display flashed a few times, and the image showed: a large group of water-drop-shaped Seraph fighter jets rushing towards them. The Covenant frigate turned its head towards the pursuing Yuanzhu, blue light flashed on the side, and the pulse weapon began to charge.

Warrant Officer Kamano Nana, fire the defense artillery at the fortress point and shoot these birds down for me. Di Qing ordered.

Yes, sir. Kamano Nana connected the point defense cannon's aiming system with the stupid artificial intelligence, and fired continuous fire at the Seraph fighter group, and bursts of flames suddenly appeared.

Di Qing adjusted the direction of the camera and saw the Covenant cruiser still hovering in the orbit of Zhonghai Nalan Star. He determined their location and necessary data on his handheld computer, then quickly calculated.

Course correction, she said to Lieutenant Theodore, three point four three degrees, bank zero point two three degrees.

As ordered, sir. Lieutenant Theodore followed the order, Turn three point four and three degrees, tilt down zero point two and three degrees.

The huge body of the enemy cruiser appeared on the display screen again.

Course conflict! Lieutenant Theodore said. Eight seconds later, hit the Covenant cruiser.

Adjust the new course immediately and tilt down zero-point-two degrees.

As ordered, sir, Lieutenant Theodore wiped away his sweat and tapped the keyboard quickly, The course is ready, waiting for the next order.

Colliding with the Covenant destroyer in five seconds. Lieutenant Lucius gripped his seat tightly.

The destroyer grew larger and larger in the field of vision, and laser turrets and launch bays could be seen, spherical protrusions shining with blue light.

Keep the course, Di Qing ordered, turn on the collision alarm. Turn on the camera at the bow.

The siren of the spatial position calibrator rang across the bridge.

The display screen went dark for a moment and then started working again. The outline of a Covenant ship flashed across the dark space.

The Yongzhu shook and headed straight for the bow of the enemy destroyer. A silver energy shield flashed across the screen—and the entire ship was filled with static.

A collision with an enemy destroyer is imminent. Lieutenant Theodore said, biting his lips.

Start the upper emergency thruster! Di Qing shouted loudly.

Yes, sir. After a brief ignition, the spacecraft sank slightly.

Show the image from the stern camera, Di Qing ordered, the shooter missile is launched!

Launch completed. Kamano Nana replied.

Di Qing saw the plasma torpedo that had been chasing them hit the center of the Covenant destroyer. The energy shield flickered on and off...and then disappeared. About 1,500 shooter-type missiles dragged their orange-red tails and flew into the cracks of the destroyer from the missile launch bay. Then, continuous flames flashed one after another, and the Covenant destroyer began to burst into blue-purple fire.

Seeing the Covenant spacecraft catching fire, tilting over, and being pulled straight down by the gravity of Zhonghai Nalan Star, Di Qing couldn't help but smile. Without power, the Covenant spacecraft would be completely burned during the fall after entering the atmosphere.

She opened the intercom channel. Prepare for emergency landing. Then turn on the control switch - an explosion came from the side of the spacecraft, forcing the spacecraft to turn towards the Zhonghaina Blue Star.

Correction, Lieutenant Theodore. Put us into a low Earth orbit.

Yes. She hurriedly started the button and ignited the engine.

As it slowly entered the atmosphere, the hull gradually heated up, and a yellow ionosphere appeared on the screen in front of it.

Di Qing grasped the armrest firmly, and now she could see the stars. The Yuanzhu has now entered the backlit side of the planet.

Engine cooling failure, sir, Lieutenant Hicks said.

Stop the engine and open the emergency drain.

Follow your orders, the plasma used for nuclear fusion reactions is being released.

There was suddenly silence in the Yongzhao. There was no roar of engines, and no one spoke. They knew they were safe for now, but there was still the next step to take.

Everything is not over yet. We are on standby at any time. Di Qing said to them, Warrant Officer Kamano Nana, how is the energy reserve of the magnetic accelerator cannon?

Ninety-five percent, consuming three percent every minute.

Prepare to fire the power of the magnetic accelerator cannon and reload all Marksman missiles.

As commanded.

The Yongzhu flew around the orbit and was accelerated by the gravity of Zhonghai Nalan Star, causing the entire ship to shake slightly, making a buzzing noise, and red flames quickly covered the hull. Soon, they rushed out of the backlight of Zhonghaina Blue Star.

Open the chemical reaction thruster and leave orbit.

As ordered, start advancing.

The trembling of the Yuanzhu became more intense. The dazzling golden light of the stars in this galaxy penetrated the screen and pierced Di Qing's eyes. In the middle, a nearby Covenant cruiser and a farther Covenant frigate appeared.

The Covenant warship began to turn. The blue light flashed again on the casing - the pulse weapon began to charge. Dots of red light flickered on the side of the ship. They are ready for a second ion weapon attack.

But there's one tiny dot on the screen that's almost indistinguishable to the naked eye: Sergeant Kelvin's Longsword interceptor.

During the time when the Yuanzhu destroyed the destroyer and fell into the orbit of the Nalan Star in the middle sea, the Long Sword interceptor aircraft had already approached the Covenant warship... but they were focusing all their efforts on the Yuanzhu.

In an instant, a dazzling white light flashed, and a deafening loud noise was heard. The Covenant cruiser was immediately engulfed in a cloud of fire that destroyed everything. Waves of electromagnetic pulses beat against the planet's magnetic field - countless rainbows ripple across space. The gas cools and then dissipates, turning into yellow or orange dust and scattering into space.

The image on the display disappeared, and the bridge went dark. However, Kamano Nana could see clearly with the dim light of the warning light. She could see the officers on the bridge who were not stopping for a moment; she could see Lieutenant Theodore's red hair hanging down to his eyes; she could see Di Captain Qing stood there and saluted Sergeant Kelvin who was sent to the point of no return by her.

The hull of the Yongzhu was rattled by the shock wave. The sound gradually grew louder, and a burst of infrasound waves made Nana Kamano feel that her bones were about to fall apart.

However, the Covenant cruiser remained intact. Its shield burst into a bright light...and disappeared.

Di Qing looked at the display screen connected to the bottom camera. They were about to pass by the top of the Covenant cruiser.

Now, Lieutenant Hicks, Di Qing ordered, release the drop pod and let those bastards have a taste of being jumped.

Yes, sir. The lieutenant tapped the keyboard with both hands, The Spartans and Helltroopers have been released, and the remaining Marines are already on standby in the Pelican troop carrier.

The shuttle-shaped drop pod group passed by the bottom camera and was pulled by the planet's gravity towards the Covenant cruiser. There was already a group of Seraph fighter jets waiting for them on the way.

As soon as the landing zone is clear, it's time for them to show off their power. Di Qing returned his gaze to the observation window, Lieutenant Theodore, turn off the main engine and start the steering thruster. Rotate and position so that we face the frigate head-on.

Turn completed, sir.

Give the order to launch the magnetic accelerator cannon, Warrant Officer Nana Kamano, now!

Yes. The magnetic accelerator cannon has 99% stored energy and is waiting to be fired.

Fire!

The coil of the magnetic accelerator cannon was charged suddenly, and a muffled thunder rolled across the hull of the Yongzhu.

Aim the shooter missile at the enemy ship and shoot!

Launch! The two of them said almost at the same time.

The blazing metal bullets, wrapped in lightning and thousands of missiles, rushed towards the helpless Covenant frigate.

The Covenant ship's engines spurted fire and the ship began to turn. It was too late.

The magnetic acceleration shell hit the bow of the ship first, and the Covenant frigate rolled backwards. The faint light of the energy shield instantly turned into a dazzling electric light...and then flashed a few more times before gradually fading away.

A moment later, shooter-type missiles followed, tearing apart its armor and blowing it into pieces. The ship's engine was struck and a mushroom cloud shot up, followed by a fireworks display filled with explosions and sparks.

Everyone on the bridge burst into cheers of victory.

Di Qing showed a bright smile, let go of the distorted armrest of the seat, and gently brushed away the sweat on her forehead.

How's the situation with the Colonel and the paratroopers, Lieutenant Lucius?

Lieutenant Lucius paused for a moment, then said: The Golden Monkey Team was completely wiped out during the landing. The Hidden Fox Team and other hell paratroopers entered the target landing point, but the colonel lost contact.

Di Qing's expression darkened, Continue to track the colonel's signal.

She looked at the blue planet. She had just prevented a Covenant fleet from turning the planet into scorched earth, saving tens of millions of lives. They accomplished the impossible: defeated three Covenant ships.

She suddenly woke up from her self-congratulation. Something was wrong. It is extremely rare for a Covenant spacecraft to dispatch ground troops without a super orbital magnetic accelerator cannon. They must have some special purpose for doing so.

Try to contact the UNSC command on this planet, she told Lieutenant Lucius, and see if we can understand their purpose and movements here.

As commanded.

Di Qing remembered that the reactor of the Yinchu had only been temporarily repaired, and the fatal flaw was still there. Zhonghai Nalanxing needed to be sent to repair the space station before it could be completely repaired. She couldn't help but secretly pray that Lieutenant Lucius wouldn't discover anything, otherwise Assistance from the space station is likely to be delayed.

Sir! Lieutenant Lucius exclaimed, The Army of Zhonghaina Blue Star said that they have been in contact with the Covenant's ground forces and hope that we can send reinforcements there. The target of those beasts seems to be a man named Bibo. Small town place.”

A ground invasion, Di Qing murmured. Reinforcements are on hold unless there is good news from the colonel.

Sir, there's a problem with the reactor, Lieutenant Hicks hinted.

I will find a way to solve it. Di Qing said distressedly, Lieutenant Lucius, ask them if they can launch a maintenance space station up.

This story is so boring to write. It is far less interesting than the game. In the final analysis, it is just a story about super soldiers fighting aliens, with nothing new at all. There don't seem to be many people reading it. How about I finish this battle and open a new book?