Aftermath of the Fall of Reach
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The engagements in the Fall of Reach resulted in an extensive aftermath for the overall war effort, for the units involved, and for the planet itself.
Losses and retreats[edit]
Numerous ships and units were destroyed or were irreparably damaged. The UNSC Basra, one of the finest in service was damaged beyond repair. One of the most revered ships in the fleet[1] and the Flagship of the Epsilon Eridani Fleet,[2] the UNSC Trafalgar, was also destroyed.[3]
The Covenant ship Valorous Salvation escaped midway through the battle and ended up attacking the colony planet Beta Gabriel[4]
Several UNSC starships would escape the battle as well, such as the UNSC Aegis Fate.[5]
Escape of the Pillar of Autumn and Installation 04[edit]
- Main article: Battle of Installation 04
The UNSC Pillar of Autumn would flee the battle, with the AI Cortana commandeering it's escape destination to the previously undiscovered fourth Forerunner Halo. While the Battle of Installation 04 was tangential to the main front, the containment of the initial Flood outbreak - and the experience gained - was just as critical for the survival of humanity.
ONI artifact recovery, and assessment[edit]
Artifacts and other recovered items[edit]
During and after the Fall of Reach, a number of artifacts were recovered. Prior to the completion of Operation: WHITE GLOVE, ONI recovered Dr. Halsey's personal journal.[6] As well, a flag that was originally used by SPARTANs during training sessions of Capture the Flag, was recovered and put on display at Outpost Discovery.[7]
Investigations and analysis of the battle[edit]
On September 4, 2552, the Office of Naval Intelligence began investigating Joseph Poteet and Alasdair Schicker, believing that they may have leaked classified information to the Covenant. Including the location of Reach.[8] At the same time, Lieutenant Wagner who escaped the battle reported to the UNSC Security Council at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6, Earth, detailing the glassing of the planet and the escape of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn.[9]
An inquiry was held by ONI Retrieval and Acquisitions on September 26, 2552 which culminated in the creation of a target profile of Thel 'Vadamee by Lieutenant Commander Jameson Locke.[10] This report included information on Thel's actions at the Fall of Reach.[11]
Just over a month after the battle on October 8, 2552, Admiral J. Garcia compiled 844 files into a report called "Preliminary Reports of Action - Defense of Reach". It detailed fleet actions in the Reach Defense Coordination Zone. This report along with several others would be assembled into another file in 2554 for Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood.[12]
At some point after the battle, numerous reports were filed including ITEM/466F41.LV. Some of these reports contradicted one another, especially in regards to Jun-A266's actions following the SWORD Base portion of Operation: WHITE GLOVE.[13]
Earth and the Sol system[edit]
The loss of Reach was announced on Earth over PA systems.[14] Weeks after the battle, rumors started circulating on Earth that people were still alive on Reach.[15]
The Office of Naval Intelligence knew of at least four Covenant battle groups centred around large assault carriers prowling the outer edges of UNSC-held space. The Navy believed that the location of Sol was compromised and began relocating heavy industry facilities and command centers out of the system in a long-planned exodus.[16] UNSC units were also posted in Earth's tether cities following the battle of Reach.[17] Some graffiti on Earth used the slogan "Remember Reach".[18]
Following the battle, a memorial was created for fallen ONI personnel in the Fall of Reach at ONI Alpha Site on Earth.[19] The fall of the planet would also mean that Mars would once again become the largest industrial center in human space.[20]