Glassing of Jericho VII

Three dozen Covenant ships - big ones, destroyers and cruisers - winked into view in the system. They were sleek, looking more like sharks than starcraft. Their lateral lines brightened with plasma - then discharged and rained fire down upon Jericho VII. The Chief watched for an hour and didn't move a muscle. The planet's lakes, rivers, and oceans vaporized. By tomorrow, the atmosphere would boil away, too. Fields and forests were glassy smooth and glowing red-hot in patches.