Defense of Mars

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

Previous:	Battle of New Mombasa
Concurrent:	Battle for Earth Battle of Luna
Next:	Battle of Cleveland Attempted assassination of the Prophet of Truth
Defense of Mars
Conflict:	Human-Covenant War Siege of the Inner Colonies
Date:	c. before November 16, 2552
Location:	Mars, Sol system
Outcome:	Covenant victory UNSC forces on Mars crushed Colonel Ackerson captured
Details Belligerents UNSC Army Marine Corps Navy Covenant Commanders COL James Ackerson Shipmaster Lepidus (post-Great Schism) Strength Gabriel Thorne Charon-class light frigates Able-class heavy destroyers ODSTs 1+ Covenant fleet Fleet of Furious Redemption 4+ Ket-pattern battlecruisers Triumphant Declaration Castor Casualties Unknown - presumably heavy Jordan Gaines' father Unknown

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

Background

Argyre Planitia

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.

Reasons to attack

Due to extensive infrastructure, Mars was a major target when the