Fireteam Zulu

Fireteam Zulu
Affiliation:	UNSC
Branch:	UNSC Marine Corps
Type:	Fireteam
Engagements:	Battle of Installation 04

"BEAUTIFUL, AIN'T IT? SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE A PICTURE."

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"They gave it their best shot, but they didn't count on running into the biggest squad of Marine bad-asses in the Corps!"

— An unnamed Marine of Fireteam Zulu.^[1]

Fireteam Zulu was a UNSC Marine Corps fireteam that served aboard the UNSC Pillar of Autumn and participated in the Battle of Installation 04. Operating out of Alpha Base, the unit notably fought alongside Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 during the Assault on the Control Room.^[1]^[2]

Known members[edit]

The specific number of operators in Fireteam Zulu is unknown, though it included an unnamed Sergeant, an unnamed Corporal, and an unnamed Private.^[2]

Operational history[edit]

Battle of Installation 04[edit]

Main article: Battle of Installation 04

Following the crash of the Pillar of Autumn on Installation 04 on September 19, 2552, Fireteam Zulu was among the marine units that secured and operated out of Alpha Base.^[2] The following day, Fireteam Zulu was deployed via a D77-TC Pelican to a snowy canyon. During their descent, the Pelican was engaged by Banshees. Fireteam Zulu issued a distress call, which was intercepted by John-117 and his artificial intelligence, Cortana, who instructed the marines to hold their position.^[1]^[2]

After dropping off the fireteam and an M12 Warthog, the Pelican attempted to egress into the adjacent canyon but was shot down, crashing into the canyon wall. Upon arriving at Zulu's position, the Master Chief assisted the marines in repelling the Covenant forces, destroying a Karo'etba-pattern Ghost, several Shade turrets, and a Wraith guarding the valley exit.^[1]^[2]

In the next valley, Fireteam Zulu and John-117 regrouped with Fireteam Yankee, whose members had survived the Pelican crash.^[3] The marines continued to support John-117 as he fought his way through the subsequent canyons. When the Master Chief was forced to ascend the final canyon via a subterranean Forerunner structure, the marines remained behind to secure the area and await aerial extraction.^[1]

Production notes[edit]

In Halo: Combat Evolved, the Sergeant leading Fireteam Zulu utilizes the voice lines of Sergeant Major Avery Johnson. Canonically, Johnson was exploring the Flood containment facility with Captain Keyes at the time. This is a result of Bungie reusing limited marine character assets. Halo: Campaign Evolved replaces the Sergeant's voice lines with unused audio originally recorded for Bisenti.
Before the Pelican lands, inactive marine character models and an extra Warthog spawn in the valley. These marines do not react to friendly forces or enemies. If the player manages to reach their location (using a glitch or the Acrophobia skull) and kills them, the actual marines deployed from the Pelican—who possess active AI and react to allies and enemies—will become hostile toward the player.
Prior to the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, it was assumed that Fireteam Zulu also included the marines encountered in the subsequent valley defending a Scorpion near the crashed dropship. With the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, it was revealed that this second group of marines is canonically Fireteam Yankee. This distinction was likely made because combining both groups would have exceeded the typical size of a fireteam, which is normally three or four operators.^[4]