Tiberius kept marching towards the Communication dish, but as he did, he saw more carnage. Destroyed cars, dead bodies and ruined buildings. These Elites, or well Covenant, must've done all of this. He's seen this sight on many worlds and every time he shrugs it off. He's grown used to such a sight to the point where it doesn't bother him. At first, he was bothered by it but his years as a Space Marine has tempered that, prepared him for the harshness of War. His time in the Phoenix Fighters got him set for the future. He always had his brothers by his side, his Captain and his Chapter Master. He wonders if they assumed he's dead, which he's okay with. It's the only logical assumption given the circumstances. Though, he hopes that the Communication Dish's station can help him contact the Imperium or better yet, his Chapter. That's his hope at least, but something tells him it won't be that easy. Nothing ever is that easy.
Along the way, he again attempts his Vox, hoping that someone anyone would answer. Nothing. Still just static. All he did was sigh and kept going. But along his travels, he encountered more Xenos, but they were different than those Elites he faced. Somewhere tiny and others were slim. The tiny ones had orange harnesses and are obviously cowards as the second Tiberius took out the Elite commanding them, they scattered. The slim ones had energy shields and plasma weaponry, they didn't appear to be as cowardly as the smaller ones, but when he broke their shields, they did start running. But seeing multiple Xenos species working together as one reminded him of the Tau Empire. He's fought the Tau before, if briefly. But there is one thing Tiberius knows about these Xenos, or well this Covenant as those civilians mentioned. They're a threat to Humanity.
Not that he's worried, but he wonders how a Cadian would fare against one of the Covenant Xenos. He kept marching before he heard gunfire not far from him, he grew curious at who was fighting. Most likely the Xenos, but they could be fighting Civilians, and the Civilians are putting up a fight. So, he decided to get involved. He could possibly get more information on the planet he was on. It took him some time, but when he arrived, he saw some Soldiers fighting Xenos. At least he thinks they're Soldiers. They don't look like Cadians and it looks like they are using the ancient weapon technology of Humanity's distant past. They weren't bolters, that was obvious. But he could dwell on it later, he had Xenos to kill. He takes aim with his Stalker Bolt Gun and pulls the trigger a few times, firing bolts at the Xenos. The Smaller Xenos exploded and were torn to shreds while the Slim Xenos had a similar fate. The one Elite that was with them quickly caught on to where they were being shot from.
When he saw Tiberius, he barked out orders to the other Xenos. The Human Soldiers looked in Tiberius's direction and saw him. They were honestly in awe seeing him. Tiberius dodged plasma bolts while firing at the Xenos. The soldiers began shooting at the Xenos, joining the Space marine. Tiberius then reloads his weapon before putting it away and grabbing his power sword. The second he charged forward, the Smaller Xenos that were still alive began to scatter while the slim ones held their ground alongside the Elite. The Elite and slim Xenos opened fire upon the Space Marine who's armor tanks each blow. The slim Xenos run for cover, but the Elite holds his ground. Bad idea. Tiberius used his swordless hand to grab the Xeno's weapon and crush it before he thrusts his sword into the Elite's chest. He removes his sword and turns to the remaining Xenos.
The slim ones were shaking in fear while the smaller ones were running around like headless chickens. Tiberius grabbed his heavy bolt pistol and started shooting the Xenos. The soldiers were watching this slaughter, one of them saw the mutilated bodies of the smaller ones from the Bolts that hit the creature and nearly threw up. One of the slim Xenos lunged at him with an energy dagger and tried to stab him with it but Tiberius just sliced the Xeno in half with his sword. One of the smaller ones then grabbed two orbs and let them glow before running at Tiberius. It didn't take him long to realize this smaller one planned to take himself out just to get Tiberius. So Tiberius shot the smaller Xeno in the face with his pistol and killed it.
The two plasma grenades go off and kill other small Xenos. The last Xeno tried to run away but Tiberius killed it with a single shot. He then turned to the soldiers and walked towards them. The Soldiers were intimidated and why wouldn't they be? They just witnessed one man decimate multiple opponents and it didn't seem like he was trying. Tiberius put his weapons away before he reached the soldiers.
"Where the hell did you come from?" The Soldier asked.
"Lieutenant Tiberius Maximus, Phoenix Fighters Chapter 2nd Company." Tiberius said, not exactly answering the soldier's question.
"Phoenix... fighters?" The Soldier asked, sounding like he just heard something foreign.
"Yes, that is my Chapter." Tiberius answered.
The Soldiers looked at each other, completely confused by what he said.
"Are you aligned to this UNSC or the Imperium?" Tiberius asked.
He remembered one of the civilians he met mentioned something about a group called the UNSC. Whatever that is.
"UNSC. What the hell is the Imperium?" The Soldier asked.
This isn't good. These people didn't know who the Imperium was, but it did tell him one thing at least he hopes so. These people are not Chaos. They could be playing dumb, but something tells him they're being truthful. Tiberius didn't seek to stick around and needed to reach that communication station.
"Can you give me directions to the Communication Station?" Tiberius asked.
"That road should lead you straight to the Relay." The Soldier said, pointing to the road not far from them.
Tiberius turned to it before returning his gaze to the Soldier.
"Thank you." Tiberius said with a nod. "You should seek a haven for now."
"Wish we could, but we need to contact command and tell them that the Covenant are on Reach." The Soldier said.
"Reach?" Tiberius asked.
"Yeah, that's the name of this planet."
Okay well at least he knows where he is. But Reach? What kind of name is that? Tiberius grabs his Stalker Bolt Rifle.
"Well, I thank you for directions." Tiberius said. "Burn Bright."
Tiberius then walked towards the road. Burn Bright. A common saying among the Phoenix Fighters, typically used as a rallying cry or a reminder to stay resilient and sometimes used as an encouragement or like saying good luck. It had many usages, but it was common for the Phoenix Fighters to say. Tiberius sees how long the road is, so he starts running down the road to reach his destination faster.