Canon

Defense of Mars

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This article's title is a callsign, an alias, or a nickname, as no proper name for the subject has been revealed.

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Battle of Mombasa

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Defense of Mars
The Fleet of Furious Redemption over Mars.

Conflict:

Date:

c. before November 16, 2552[Note 1]

Location:

Mars, Sol system

Outcome:

Covenant victory

Details
Belligerents

The HCW-era UNSC icon United Nations Space Command

The Fleet Battles/Halo 5: Guardians Covenant Icon made in the style of HN. Covenant

Commanders

COL James Ackerson[2]

Shipmaster Lepidus[2] (post-Great Schism)

Strength

1+ Covenant fleet

Casualties

Unknown - presumably heavy[1]

Unknown

 

In late 2552 during the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC defended Mars from attack by Covenant forces.[3]

Background[edit]

Argyre Planitia[edit]

On October 13, 2552, gravitic and radiation anomalies were detected near Argyre Planitia. A team was sent to the site and a cloaked sensor platform of unknown origin was discovered, triggering WIDEAWAKE. Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper issued a stand-down order after discussing with Admiral Margaret Parangosky.[7]

Battle[edit]

Due to extensive infrastructure, Mars was a major target[8] when the Prophet of Truth fleet arrived in the system.[9] as they headed toward Earth. This resulted in several key battles on the planet.[8]

Mare Erthraeum[edit]

UNSC Army forces led by Colonel James Ackerson fought the Covenant at Mare Erythraeum on the surface of Mars. It occurred simultaneously with the Covenant's prolonged invasion of Earth and resulted in a Covenant victory. After the UNSC's eventual defeat on Mars, the Covenant began to concentrate more of their forces on Earth,[1] although Ackerson's work in this battle helped buy UNSC ground forces on Earth precious time.[10] During or after the engagement, Colonel Ackerson was taken prisoner and taken aboard the Ket-pattern battlecruiser Triumphant Declaration.[2]

Aftermath[edit]

Although the Martian defense forces were eventually crushed, they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.[9]

Mars and Luna were hit particularly hard although both fared better than Earth.[11]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ See here

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Uprising, issue 3
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo: Uprising, issue 1
  3. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 101
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 123
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Digsite Dissection (Retrieved on Jul 28, 2023) [archive]
  6. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 7
  7. ^ Halo Legendary Crate - Data Drop #2
  8. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 40
  9. ^ a b Halo Waypoint - Universe, Locations, Mars (Retrieved on Jan 19, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  10. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)
  11. ^ Halo: New Blood, chapter 12