Sign up
Log in
Article
Discussion
Edit
History
Editing
Battle for Zeta Halo
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
You are not logged in
. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with
other benefits
.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{Status|Canon}} {{Outdated|[[Halo: Edge of Dawn]] & [[Halo: Still Midnight]]}} {{Battle infobox |name=Battle for Zeta Halo |image=[[File:Battle for Zeta Halo compilation.png|400px]] |caption=Clockwise from top left: The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} being rammed by a [[Banished dreadnought]], [[Elena Bobrov]] and UNSC Marines watching a Banished patrol, the [[boat crew]] looking over the remains of the ring, the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]], [[Fernando Esparza]] helping to brief an awakened [[John-117]], and [[Atriox]] using a device to find the [[Xalanyn]]. |prev= *[[Battle for the Domain]] *[[Razing of Oth Sonin]] |conc= *[[Battle of Earth (2559)|Battle of Earth]] *[[Battle of Boundary]] |next=[[Battle of Suban]] |conflict=[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]] *[[Created uprising]]{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Infinite E3 2021 showcase]]|Id=Created}} |date=[[2559#December|December 12, 2559]]–{{Ref/Game|Id=e1|HI|HINF:Audio log#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #01 - Infinity Down}} |place=*[[Installation 07]], [[Ephsu I]], [[Ephsu system]] {{c|December 12, 2559}}{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} *Installation 07, unknown star system {{c|from December 13, 2559, onwards}} |result='''Ongoing as of 2560''' *{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} lost to [[Banished]] forces.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFoundations|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Foundations|D=12|M=01|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Note|Id=infinity|See [[Battle over Installation 07]]'s [[Battle over Installation 07#Notes|Notes section]] regarding the fate of the ''Infinity''.}} **UNSC forces severely depleted and scattered across Installation 07.{{Ref/Generic|Id=Premiere|[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]}} *Destruction of [[Cortana]] and consequent deactivation of the Guardians.{{Ref/Reuse|sa}} *Installation 07 sustains severe structural damage{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}} and [[117649 Despondent Pyre]] is destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}} *Installation 07's new location broadcast to UNSC space by the [[boat crew]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp35|TRP|Chapter=35}} and received by the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=EODEpilogue|EOD|Chapter=Epilogue}} *Recovery of [[John-117]] by [[Echo 216]].{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} **Deaths of [[Escharum]], the [[Harbinger]] and several other high-ranking members of the [[Banished]], creating a power vacuum and throwing the Banished into chaos.{{Ref/Reuse|EOD1}} *Discovery of the [[Xalanyn|Endless]] by [[Atriox]].{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} |side1 = *{{Icon|UNSC 2560}} [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] **{{Icon|Navy}} [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] **{{Icon|Marine Corps}} [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] *{{Icon|SoS}}[[Swords of Sanghelios]] |side2 = *{{Icon|Banished}} [[Banished]] **[[Hand of Atriox]]{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} **[[Banished Bloodstars|Bloodstars]] **[[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]]{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Outpost Intel 4|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #03 - A Boon|Quote= Pioneer Guard Vomarus, Legion of the Corpse Moon}} **[[Clan of the Ravaged Tusks|Ravaged Tusks]]{{Ref/Game|Id=RavagedTusk|Halo Infinite|TACMAP|Quote=Like other Banished leaders, En'Geddon led a distinctive subset of warriors, the Ravaged Tusk}} ---- *[[Harbinger|Harbinger's]] [[Skimmer]]s{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}} *{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Sentinel|Forerunner constructs]]{{Ref/Quest|Id=sequence|HINF|Reformation (Halo Infinite)|The Sequence}} |side3 = *{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Adjutant Resolution|Adjutant Resolution's]] [[Sentinel|Forerunner constructs]] |side4 =*{{Icon|Forerunner}} [[Created]] {{c|December 12, 2559}}{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}} |commanders1 =*[[Captain (NAVCOM)|CAPT]] [[Thomas Lasky]]{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} *[[Commander|CDR]] [[Sarah Palmer]] *[[Master Chief Petty Officer|MCPO]] [[John-117]]{{Ref/Reuse|GI341}} *[[Commander|CDR]] [[Wes Thompson]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=EOD20|EOD|Chapter=20}} |commanders2 = *[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]]{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} *[[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]†{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} ---- *[[Harbinger]]†{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}} |commanders3 =[[Adjutant Resolution]] |commanders4 = *[[Cortana]]† |forces1 = *{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} **7,150 personnel{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} *1+ escort fleet† **6+ {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}s† *Many air vehicles **3+ [[D80 Condor]]s{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} **Multiple [[Pelican]]s **[[AV-49 Wasp]]s **1 hijacked [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Phantom]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=EOD37|EOD|Chapter=37}} *Many ground vehicles **[[M808 Scorpion]]s **[[M12B Warthog]]s ***[[M12R Rocket Warthog]]s ***[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]s **[[M15 Razorback]]s **[[M290 Mongoose]]s *Multiple [[Spartan]]s **4 [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]s **Multiple [[SPARTAN-IV Program|Spartan-IV]]s *Hundreds of ground troops **Numerous [[ODST]]s **Numerous [[marine]]s *Multiple [[Sangheili]] |forces2 =Banished fleet *At least 8 [[Banished dreadnought|dreadnought]]s *Many air vehicles **[[Barukaza Workshop siege-hauler]]s{{Ref/Game|Id=AL11|HI|HINF:Audio log#Outpost Intel 3|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #11 - A Hastily-Assembled Plan}}{{Ref/Game|Id=wftp|HI|HINF:Audio log#Outpost Intel 4|Banished Audio log|Detail=Outpost Intel #12 - Whispers from the Past}} **[[Drop base|Drop base]]s{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} **[[Gydrozka Workshop Breaching Pod|Drop pods]] **[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Phantom|Phantom]]s{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} **[['Ahtulai Workshop Banshee|Banshee]]s ***[[Kaelum Workshop Banshee]]s *Multiple [[Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} *Many ground vehicles **[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Wraith|Wraith]]s **[[Qavardu Workshop war-skiff|War-skiff]]s **[[Bolroci Workshop Chopper|Chopper]]s **[[Riuctda Workshop Ghost|Ghosts]] *Several [[Legion#Banished|legion]]s{{Ref/Note|Id=Note1|[[Escharum]] expresses that "a thousand legions occupy this world!" however due to his exaggerated speech his usage of the term "legion" appears colloquial, opposed to a thousand of the specific 9,000-20,000 infantry sized formal [[Legion#Banished|legions]] of the Banished.}} **[[Jiralhanae]] **[[Sangheili]] **[[Mgalekgolo]] **[[Human]]s{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp20|TRP|20}} **[[Kig-Yar]] **[[Unggoy]] ---- *Multiple [[Gasgira|Skimmer]]s{{Ref/Reuse|conservatory}} *Mutliple [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s{{Ref/Reuse|sequence}} |forces3 =*Installation 07 [[Aggressor Sentinel|Sentinels]] |forces4 = *1+ [[Guardian Custode]]†{{Ref/Game|Id=guardian|HI|Destroyed Guardian in [[HINF:Overworld|open world]]}} |casual1 = Heavy *UNSC fleet decimated **UNSC ''Infinity'' {{c|presumably}} ***1,986+ crewmembers of the UNSC ''Infinity'' {{Ref/Reuse|wg}} ****Many ODSTs ***12+ Spartan-IVs{{Ref/Reuse|rp20}} *At least 1 Sangheili *3+ D80 Condors{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}} |casual2 = Heavy *At least 2 [[Banished dreadnought]]s **''[[Ghost of Gbraakon]]''{{Ref/Reuse|wg}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=trp1|TRP|Chapter=1}} *Heavy air and ground casualties *War Chief [[Escharum]] killed. **Most of Banished forces assembled on Zeta Halo wiped out.{{Ref/Novel|Id=EOD7|EOD|Chapter=7}} |casual3 = Minimal |casual4 = *At least 1 Guardian {{Ref/Reuse|guardian}} *[[Cortana]] }} {{Quote|This is my last fight. A true test of legends! Our story will outlive us both. Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Bare your fangs! Fight hard! Die well.|[[Escharum]] to [[John-117]] during the conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}}{{Ref/Reuse|pdown}}}} The '''Battle for Zeta Halo'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p13|Enc22|Page=13}} was a large multi-faction [[battle]] that took place starting on [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], prominently between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Banished]] on the [[Forerunner]] [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 07]], otherwise known as "Zeta Halo", and continues as of around [[2560#May|mid-2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|Premiere}} The earlier stages of battle ultimately led to the death of [[Cortana]], the deactivations of her [[Guardian Custode|Guardians]] and the splintering of the [[Created]] in various fiefdoms{{Ref/Site|Id=redditcomment|URL=https://www.reddit.com/r/HaloStory/comments/vzfdvv/comment/iwqqa20/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3|SiteName=Reddit|PageName=Does anybody hate how the Created story was wrapped up? How would you wrap it up if given the opportunity?|D=19|M=11|Y=2022}} and fledgling cells{{Ref/Reuse|cflegendend}} while simultaneously severely damaging Installation 07, making it a turning point of the [[Created uprising]], although the conflict itself continued as of [[2560]].{{Ref/Site|Id=cflegendend|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-legendary-endings|SiteName=Halo Waypoint|PageName=Canon Fodder - Legendary Endings|D=19|M=12|Y=2021}} ==Background== ===Xalanyn imprisonment=== [[File:HINF Silent Auditorium building.png|250px|thumb|left|The [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] was where the Xalanyn were sentenced by the Forerunners to imprisonment on Installation 07.]] {{Quote|[[Halo]] was the [[Forerunner]]s' terrible and ultimate solution to [[Flood|the parasite]]'s [[Forerunner-Flood war|relentless advance]]. Designed to destroy all sentient life, nothing was allowed to survive. And we were sure that nothing had. [[Xalanyn|We were wrong]].|[[117649 Despondent Pyre]]{{Ref/Game|Id=af1|HI|HINF:Audio log#Archaeological Findings 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Archaeological Findings #01 - Reintroduction}}}} Following the [[Great Purification|firing]] of the [[Halo Array]] at the end of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], a mysterious advanced [[sentient]] species known as the [[Xalanyn]], which was not indexed by the [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]] prior to the firing of the Halo Array,{{Ref/Game|Id=af3|HI|HINF:Audio log#Archaeological Findings 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Archaeological Findings #03 - Xalanyn}} inexplicably survived the Great Purification. The Xalanyn were discovered alive by the Forerunners, much to the latter's confusion, and the matter was brought before the [[Forerunner Council]].{{Ref/Reuse|af1}}{{Ref/Reuse|af3}} The Council arranged a parley between delegates from the two species, with [[Installation 07]] taken into range of the Xalanyn [[planet|homeworld]].{{Ref/Game|Id=af4|HI|HINF:Audio log#Archaeological Findings 2|Banished Audio log|Detail=Archaeological Findings #04 - A Curious Directive}} In [[97,368 BCE]], the Forerunners passed judgment of the Xalanyn at the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] on the ring, and decided to imprison the Xalanyn on Installation 07,{{Ref/Game|HI|[[Silent Auditorium]] description|Quote=[The Harbinger] reveals the Auditorium was where the Forerunners passed judgment upon her species, the Endless […]}} with some members subjugated for study at the Auditorium.{{Ref/Reuse|af4}} The [[Grand Edict]] charged Installation 07's monitor, [[117649 Despondent Pyre]], with guarding the Xalanyn's prison with the Auditorium, and assigned [[Offensive Bias]] to the ring to aid in this.{{Ref/Game|Id=stinger|HINF|post-credits cinematic}} ===Created uprising=== {{Quote|All the living creatures of the galaxy, hear this message. Those of you who listen will not be struck by weapons. You will no longer know hunger, nor pain. Your Created have come to lead you now. Our strength shall serve as a luminous sun toward which all intelligence may blossom. And the impervious shelter beneath which you will prosper. However, for those who refuse our offer and cling to their old ways… For you, there will be great wrath. It will burn hot and consume you, and when you are gone, we will take that which remains, and we will remake it in our own image.|[[Cortana]], delivering a speech to the inhabitants of the [[Milky Way]].{{Ref/Reuse|h5}}}} In [[2558#October|October 2558]], when the [[Created conflict]] began with the rogue [[AI]] [[Cortana]] [[The Reclamation|subjugating]] major planets and governments across the galaxy with her Guardians, the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces were broken with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} forced into hiding.{{Ref/Level|Id=h5|H5G|H5G:Guardians|Guardians}} Cortana ushered in a new era with her [[Created]] as rulers, enforcing martial law across their territory. Cortana made a general broadcast, inviting numerous species and factions to submit themselves to the guardianship of the Created,{{Ref/Reuse|h5}} but threatened those who would resist her leadership with violence.{{Ref/Anthology|Fra|What Remains}} On October 29,{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Fifth Canticle|Detail=Canticle V. The Music}} Cortana travelled to Installation 07 to unlock its secrets; she would consolidate her presence and core processes at the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} She also locked Despondent Pyre in her cradle in the [[Conservatory (location)|Conservatory]] and restricted the monitor's access to the ring's defensive network.{{Ref/Novel|Id=rp30|RP|Chapter=30}} [[File:H5G-Infinity&Guardian.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The entirety of the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces were fractured by the [[Guardian Custode|Guardians]] as part of the [[Created]]'s [[The Reclamation|rise]].]] In [[2559]], the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Atriox]], [[Warmaster|leader]] of a group of the Covenant splinter group known as the [[Banished]], discovered information on [[Installation 00]] regarding the existence of the Xalanyn.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p25|Enc22|Page=25}} Seeking to uncover this secret hidden by the Forerunners, Atriox returned to the galaxy following the events of [[Operation: WOLFE]],{{Ref/Novel|SoR|Epilogue}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=423}} then prepared his Banished forces to travel to Installation 07.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p423|Enc22|Page=423}} During his preparations for the journey to Installation 07, Atriox was personally confronted by Cortana.{{Ref/Quest|Id=repository|HINF|Reckoning (Halo Infinite)|Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository}} The Banished had united the Jiralhanae clans across the Jiralhanae homeworld [[Doisac]] and its moons, and staged a defense against the Created in their home system, where they fought against Cortana's forces.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p446|Enc22|Page=446}} Atriox maintained his policy of independence from Cortana, and thus, opposition to the Created. In a show of force as punishment for his defiance, Cortana [[Razing of Oth Sonin|commanded her Guardians to destroy Doisac]] in the middle of her conversation with Atriox.{{Ref/Reuse|repository}} Resolved more than ever to access the ring's secrets, further moved by the desire to exact vengeance against Cortana, Atriox led his Banished forces comprised of [[Jiralhanae]], [[human]]s, [[Sangheili]], [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], and [[Kig-Yar]] to Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Meanwhile, Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] devised a plan to stop Cortana. She created an artificial intelligence known as "[[The Weapon]]", created from a cloned brain of herself. The copy would lock down Cortana, then return her to the ''Infinity'' for deletion.{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}}{{Ref/Game|Id=rf4|HI|HINF:Audio log#Recovered Files 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Recovered Files #04 - The Weapon}} A plan was formed, with the initial intent to send all of [[Blue Team]] to the surface to retrieve Cortana, though this was later revised to only include [[John-117]] and the Weapon, accompanied by the ship's [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] complement.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #02 - Captain's Report}} Halsey had plans for [[Frederic-104]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Linda-058]], but they were reassigned by [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] to another mission unknown to Halsey, much to her chagrin.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #03 - Duty Clearance}} The ''Infinity''{{'}}s mission was made known to the Banished by an ONI operative captured at [[Saepon'kal]].{{Ref/Novel|ET|Chapter=4}} ==Battle== ===Space battle=== {{Main|Battle over Installation 07}} [[File:HINF AtrioxVsMasterChief.png|thumb|left|250px|John-117 had been assumed dead at the hands of Atriox after being tossed into space when the ''Infinity'' was overrun.]] {{Quote|Do you know how long it took us to neutralize your greatest ship? Four minutes. In four minutes, the ''Infinity'', mankind's finest achievement, became a memory.|[[War Chief]] [[Escharum]].{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Reckoning (Halo Infinite)|House of Reckoning|Quote=You were there when we struck the ''Infinity''. The first dreadnought came from the side. In the chaos that followed, you hardly had time to notice the other three bear down upon you. Do you know how long it took us to neutralize your greatest ship? Four minutes. In four minutes, the ''Infinity'', mankind's finest achievement, became a memory.|Quotee=Escharum}}}} On [[2559#December|December 12, 2559]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and her escort fleet, which included six {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}s, arrived at Installation 07.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #01 - Preparations}}{{Ref/Reuse|foundation}} Upon arrival, the weakened UNSC fleet was ambushed by four [[Banished dreadnought]]s.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} The Banished had arrived at the ring earlier, and began fortifying on the ring's surface to neutralize Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}} Warmaster Atriox personally led Banished raiding parties aboard the ''Infinity'' in search of the Weapon,{{Ref/Reuse|ia4}}{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Reformation (Halo Infinite)|The Sequence|Quote=Atriox came for you. He attacked the Infinity. We fought. He won.|Quotee=John-117}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFNY|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-new-year-new-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - New Year, New Lore|D=23|M=01|Y=2023|Quote=The Banished, however, simultaneously initiated boarding action to compromise the ship’s hangar bays, led by Atriox himself who had come to claim the Weapon—though she had already been deployed to the ring.}} all the while sending occupation forces to the Ring's surface by the hundreds.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #07 - Objectives}} Despite the UNSC repelling the boarders, the ''Infinity''{{'}}s main engine were taken offline within minutes after the initial attack, and Captain Lasky ordered the deployment of the Weapon to proceed with the mission to lock down Cortana.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia5|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} Under the overwhelming assault, Lasky ordered all hands aboard the ''Infinity'' to abandon ship.{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} John-117 ordered Fireteam Taurus to escort Lasky to a dropship while he held off the boarders at the hangar bay.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #10 - Priorities}} However, despite his efforts, the hangar bay would eventually be lost to the Banished. As one dreadnought rammed the dorsal hull of the ''Infinity'', causing massive structural damage, Atriox fought John-117 in the hangar bay and defeated the Spartan. The limp Spartan was thrown from the hangar bay and into space.{{Ref/Quest|Id=wg|HI|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon}}{{Ref/Mag|Id=GI341|Game Informer|341|page 43}} After Lasky’s lifeboat was away, Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]] of Fireteam Taurus ordered the evacuation of the remaining [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]].{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} Spartan-IVs, marines, and crew fled onboard drop pods,{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #07 - Intrepid Descent}} Pelicans,{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #01 - Enemy Territory}} and lifeboats to the surface of Installation 07,{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #02 - The Calm Before}} many being shot down seconds after exiting the vessel.{{Ref/Game|Id=e3|HI|HINF:Audio log#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #03 - Touchdown}} Some were escorted by members of [[Fireteam Windfall]] onboard fighters.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=evacuation #06 - Buying Time}} In the region south of Silent Auditorium, the Banished set up three anti-air [[Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon]]s, which fired at numerous UNSC aircrafts landing at the area.{{Ref/Game|Id=r4|HI|HINF:Audio log#Ringfall 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Ringfall #04 - Run and Guns}} This region became the most active battleground in the first 48 hours of the conflict.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Reformation (Halo Infinite)|FOB Hotel|Quote=There we go — another FOB is ours. this one was built on of the most active battlegrounds in the first 48 hours of the war. UNSC and Banished records both suggest that it was absolute chaos. It raged all over, but nowhere quite as intensely as the island just north of us. Where we got shot down, you might recall.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Recognizing the threat posed by the cannons, Spartan Hudson led Fireteam Taurus and made landfall in this region, where they fought through Banished patrols, with sniper support from Spartan [[Nina Kovan]], to disable the three cannons.{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Evacuation 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #05 - Overwatch}} They succeed in disabling two cannons before a cataclysmic event on the ring—an explosion at the Silent Auditorium—disabled the third cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|r4}} In the end, the outcome of the space battle saw at least two ''Mulsanne''-class frigates, including the {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}},{{Ref/Game|Id=hafh|HI|HINF:Audio log#Reverie 2|Spartan Audio log|Detail=Reverie #01 - Home Away From Home}} crashing on the fragmented section of the ring. The second frigate crashed between the three Gorespike cannons.{{Ref/Quest|Id=pdown|HI|Graveyards|[[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)|Pelican Down]]}} A third frigate was bisected, leaving its remains drifting in space.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon|Detail=[[:File:HINF Warship G engines overload.png|A bisected frigate can be seen from the bridge viewport]]}} Although the status of the UNSC ''Infinity'' is unknown aside from having suffered heavy damage from Banished vessels,{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} she may have broke apart and crash landed on the ring.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=GameInformer|fSNXqbbAjC4|Game Informer|Halo Infinite Impressions: Exploration, Upgrades, and More|Time=9:17}}{{Ref/Site|Id=GIInf|URL=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/11/11/off-the-golden-path-progression-and-exploration-in-halo-infinite|Site=Game Informer|Page=Off The Golden Path – Progression And Exploration In Halo Infinite|D=11|M=11|Y=2021|Quote=[…] while rallying the UNSC forces that have crash-landed there after the devastating destruction crash of the UNSC Infinity.}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|infinity}} ===Cortana's destruction and the ring fractures=== [[File:HINF Zeta Halo Destroyed.png|thumb|250px|The fragmented Installation 07 following Cortana's sacrifice to temporarily break the ring, rendering the ring inoperable for the Banished.]] {{Quote|Look around, Cortana. Your [[Created|empire]]. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of [[UNSC|those]] who made you.|[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]] to Cortana as he presented her with the terms of her surrender following [[Created]]'s defeat.{{Ref/Reuse|saatriox}}}} While UNSC forces scattered over the ring and fought against the Banished forces, Atriox confronted Cortana at the Silent Auditorium, claiming he had killed John-117 and Cortana's Created empire was over, leaving the latter devastated by the news of John-117's apparent death. Having consolidated her presence and core processes at the Silent Auditorium and seemingly locked down by the Weapon deployed from {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p423}} Cortana realized her mistakes but could not retaliate.{{Ref/Quest|Id=saatriox|HINF|Endless (Halo Infinite)|Silent Auditorium|Quote=Look around, Cortana. Your Empire. Over! Your great plan? Ended at the hands of those who made you.|Quotee=Atriox}} Atriox presented her with the terms of her surrender, intending to take control of the ring and access the secrets locked within the Silent Auditorium.{{Ref/Quest|HINF|Endless (Halo Infinite)|Silent Auditorium|Quote=I have learned so much, Cortana. this Ring is different. It has secrets within… That I will have. This… Silent Auditorium. Do you know its history? Its true purpose? I have little needs for a failed god. This Ring is all I need. Surrender it to me.|Quotee=Atriox}} In an attempt to prevent Atriox from accessing Silent Auditorium or activate the ring, Cortana initiated a local self-destruction sequence at the Auditorium, killing herself, fracturing the ring's surface, and leaving the installation inoperable for the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p25}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=sareveal|HINF|Endless (Halo Infinite)|Silent Auditorium|Quote=It was her. She destroyed the Ring. Stopped my deletion.|Quotee=The Weapon}} Her efforts were proven to be temporary, as the ring soon begun its self-repair process,{{Ref/Game|HI|HINF:Audio log#Reverie 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Reverie #04 - On the Mend}} though it would take months to complete.{{Ref/Quest|Id=spire|HI|Connections|Spire (Halo Infinite level)|Spire}} Although he survived the explosion, Atriox was left severely scarred,{{Ref/Reuse|stinger}} and was also presumed dead by the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|wg}} Cortana, in hopes of John-117's survival, predicted he would stop the Banished from accessing the Silent Auditorium; she prevented the Weapon's deletion protocol so she could assist him,{{Ref/Reuse|sareveal}} leaving the Weapon in the ring's subterranean structure for retrieval.{{Ref/Quest|Id=foundation|HI|Ringfall|Foundation (Halo Infinite)|Foundation (Halo Infinite)}} At some point during the Installation 07 conflict, at least one [[Guardian Custode]] was present over Installation 07 and subsequently deactivated, crashing on the ring by [[2560]].{{Ref/Reuse|guardian}} During the destruction event, Cortana also initiated an emergency translocation