Fall of High Charity

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Previous:	Battle of the Quarantine Zone
Concurrent:	Battle for the Control Room
Next:	Defense of Mars
Fall of High Charity
Conflict:	Human-Covenant War Great Schism Battle of Installation 05 Installation 05 Flood outbreak
Date:	November 3rd, 2552
Location:	High Charity
Outcome:	Flood victory High Charity's population largely assimilated or killed San'Shyuum reduced to an endangered species. Covenant government destroyed Ministries overrun by the Flood High Council Chamber overrun by the Flood Last Covenant Hierarch forced to flee Covenant fleet fractured High Charity defense fleet implodes between Sangheili-led against Jiralhanae-led forces Cortana stranded on High Charity John-117 returns to the Sol system
Details Belligerents Covenant Covenant separatists Flood UNSC Commanders High Council High Prophet of Truth High Prophet of Mercy† Tartarus Rtas 'Vadum Various other Sangheili commanders Gravemind John-117 Cortana Strength Hundreds of Covenant warships Jiralhanae Controlled-High Charity defense fleet Numerous ground forces Jiralhanae Unggoy Kig-Yar Yanme'e Hundreds of Covenant warships Sangheili controlled-High Charity defense fleet(Fleet of Retribution) Numerous ground forces Sangheili Mgalekgolo Unggoy Pod infectors Combat forms Carrier forms UNSC In Amber Clad Several D77 Pelicans SPARTAN John-117 Cortana 5+ Marines (formerly prisoners on High Charity) Casualties Numerous Ships High Prophet of Mercy Heavy casualties for all species Catastrophic San'Shyuum casualties Numerous ships Large numbers of Sangheili, Mgalekgolo, and Unggoy Many Pod infectors Numerous Combat forms Some Carrier forms All Flood ships except one All Marines POWs

"Rise, pack brothers! Cast down the Elites!"

— Tartarus

The fall of High Charity was a large battle for the control of the Covenant capital world High Charity among the Covenant, the Sangheili and those loyal to them, limited UNSC forces, and later, the Flood. The battle marked several significant events, including the start of the Great Schism, SPARTAN John-117's pursuit of the Prophet of Truth to Earth, and the Flood invasion and infestation of High Charity.

Background

The fracturing of the Covenant

With the Jiralhanae, who directly competed with the Sangheili, slowly gaining the favor of the San'Shyuum Hierarchs, it was only a matter of time before the latter were overthrown and open warfare began between the two parties. Recent failures of the Sangheili leading up to the battle, including the loss of Installation 04 and the assassination of the Prophet of Regret by the UNSC, damaged the reputation of the Sangheili and further empowered and emboldened the Jiralhanae. These events spurred the Changing of the Guard, giving the Jiralhanae the duty of protecting the Prophets - an honor traditionally held by the Sangheili, further damaging their reputation and position within the Covenant.

Battle of Installation 05

Main article: Battle of Installation 05

The Prophet of Regret's wayward mission to Earth brought High Charity, John-117 and the UNSC In Amber Clad to Installation 05. The subsequent assassination of Regret by John-117 on November 2, 2552, shocked the entire Covenant ruling structure. The Sangheili-controlled fleet's attempt to kill John-117 from orbit had failed and instead threw him into the clutches of the Gravemind, located deep underneath the Library of Installation 05. With the Gravemind already plotting its way off of the Halo, this would set the tables for the invasion by both the Flood and the "Demon".

It would be