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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|FS}} |
| {{References}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| {{Battle infobox | | {{battle |
| |prev=[[Raid of Reach]] | | |prev=[[Raid of Reach]] |
| |conc= | | |conc= |
| |next=[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] | | |next=[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] |
| |name=Massacre at Eridanus Secundus | | |name={{PAGENAME}} |
| |image= | | |image= |
| |conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]] | | |conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]] |
| |date=[[2552#September|September 12–13, 2552]] | | |date=[[2552]] |
| |place=[[Eridanus Secundus]], [[Eridanus system]] | | |place=[[Eridanus System]] |
| |result= Covenant victory: | | |result=[[UNSC]] retreat, assumed destruction of Eridanus Rebels |
| * [[UNSC]] retreat
| | |side1=*[[United Nations Space Command]] |
| * Presumed destruction of the Eridanus rebels
| | *[[Eridanus Rebels]] |
| |side1=*{{Icon|UNSC HCW}} [[United Nations Space Command]] | | |side2=[[Covenant]] |
| *{{Icon|Insurrectionist}} [[Eridanus Rebels]] | | |commanders1=*[[Vice Admiral]] [[Whitcomb]] |
| |side2=*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant]] | |
| |commanders1=*[[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]] | |
| *Governor [[Jacob Jiles]] | | *Governor [[Jacob Jiles]] |
| |commanders2=unknown | | |commanders2=Unknown |
| |forces1= | | |forces1=[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]], various smaller craft, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Whitcomb]], [[Lieutenant]] [[Haverson]], [[Dr. Halsey]], 6 Spartans [[John-117]], Kelly, Fred, Will, Grace, Linda, [[Cortana]], [[Avery J. Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]], [[Locklear|Corporal Locklear]], [[Jacob Jiles|Governor Jiles]], Entire Eridanus Rebel Fleet |
| *[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]
| | |forces2=Dozens of Captial Ships |
| **Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb
| | |casual1=[[Locklear]], Rebels assumed to all be killed, [[Dr. Halsey]] and Kelly vanish until the [[Battle of Onyx]] |
| **[[Lieutenant]] [[Haverson]]
| | |casual2=1 [[Cruiser]] |
| **[[Dr. Halsey]]
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| **6 Spartans
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| ***[[John-117]]
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| ***[[Kelly-087]]
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| ***[[Frederic-104]]
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| ***[[William-043]]
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| ***[[Grace-093]]
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| ***[[Linda-058]]
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| **[[Cortana]]
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| **[[Avery J. Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]]
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| **[[Locklear|Corporal Locklear]]
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| *Eridanus Rebel Fleet
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| **[[Jacob Jiles|Governor Jiles]]
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| |forces2=8 warships | |
| |casual1= | |
| *[[Corporal Locklear]]
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| *Governor [[Jacob Jiles]] (presumed)
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| *Rebels assumed to all be killed after the UNSC retreated
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| |casual2=*1 [[Covenant cruiser|cruiser]] | |
| }} | | }} |
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| The '''Massacre at Eridanus Secundus''' was a minor event in the [[Human-Covenant War]] that ultimately resulted in the destruction of the [[Insurrectionist|Eridanus rebels]]. It is most notable for the involvement of the ''[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]'' and [[Dr. Halsey|Dr. Halsey's]] kidnapping of [[Kelly-087]]. | | The '''Massacre at Eridanus Secondus''' was a minor event in the [[Human-Covenant War]] that resulted in the destruction of the [[Eridanus Rebels]]. It is most notable for the involvement of the [[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]] and [[Dr. Halsey|Dr. Halsey's]] kidnapping of [[Kelly-087]]. |
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| == Background == | | == Background == |
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| === Spartans and Colonel Watts === | | === [[Spartans]] and [[Colonel Watts]] === |
| {{main|Assault on Eridanus Secundus}}
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| In [[2525]], the [[Spartan-II]] unit's first assignment was to infiltrate the [[Eridanus rebels]]' base, [[Eridanus Secundus]], and capture their leader, [[Robert Watts|Colonel Robert Watts]]. The extraction component of the mission did not go smoothly and the Spartans were forced to destroy the base's hangar, killing large numbers of both rebel combatants and non-combatants. Of the 5 members of the team that were involved in that mission, 4 participated in this battle including [[John-117]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page ??''; '''2010''', ''pages 302-303''</ref>
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| === Raid of Reach and Earth ===
| | In 2525, the Spartan-II unit's first assignment was to infiltrate the [[Eridanus Rebel|Eridanus Rebel's]] base and capture Colonel Watts. The extraction component of the mission did not go smoothly and they were forced to kill several rebels and destroy the base's hangar. Of the 5 members of the team that were involved in that mission, 4 participated in this battle including [[John-117]] who suggested the location. |
| {{main|Raid of Reach|Earth}}
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| During the Raid of Reach, Cortana intercepted transmissions between Covenant forces that indicated that the Covenant were planning on attacking Earth. They intended to rendezvous at the ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' before finally attacking the [[human]] homeworld.
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| However, the Raid of Reach and the subsequent battle in the slipspace anomaly took them well beyond UNSC controlled space and severely damaged the ''[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]''. Looking for a place to acquire repairs, [[John-117]] recalled his earlier mission to the rebel base and suggested it.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page ??''; '''2010''', ''page 291''</ref>
| | === [[Raid of Reach]] and [[Earth]] === |
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| ===== The crystal =====
| | During the Raid of Reach, Cortana intercepted transmissions between Covenant forces that indicated that the Covenant were planning on attacking Earth. They intended to rendezvous at the [[Unyielding Hierophant]] before finally attacking the [[human]] homeworld. |
| The [[Forerunner crystal]] that was found on Reach and caused the [[slipspace anomaly]] posed a problem. While most slipspace movement could go undetected, the crystal sent out large doses of radiation that could be detected by the Covenant, effectively allowing them to track its movements. As such, the arrival of the ''[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]'' in the outer reaches of the [[Eridanus system]] spelled the doom of the Eridanus rebel base.
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| == The battle ==
| | However, the Raid of Reach and the subsequent battle in the slipspace anomaly took them well beyond UNSC controlled space and severely damaged the [[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]. Looking for a place to acquire repairs, [[John-117]] recalled his earlier mission to the Rebel base and suggested it. |
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| === Scouting patrol === | | === The Crystal === |
| After negotiating a meeting, which involved Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb blowing up another asteroid that was similar to the rebel base to force Governor [[Jacob Jiles]] to allow him and his staff entry to the base, Whitcomb warned Jiles that the crystal meant that the Covenant would soon be arriving. Governor Jiles had just asked for proof of this claim when a [[Covenant cruiser]] emerged from slipspace. After quickly assessing that both sides didn't have nearly the armed capabilities that they initially thought, Vice Admiral Whitcomb tried the only solution available to him - the firing of a [[plasma turret]]. However, the plasma cannon's magnetic coil failed, making the plasma blast shoot straight into the Gettysburg's hull rather than at the Covenant warship.
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| It was suggested by [[John-117|SPARTAN-117]] to try using the magnetic coil on the Gettysburg to direct plasma from the ''Ascendant Justice''. This worked and successfully destroyed the cruiser, but at the cost of destroying the turret that had fired the shot.
| | The Forerunner Crystal that was found on Reach and caused the slipspace anomaly posed a problem. While most slipspace movement could go undetected, the crystal sent out large doses of radiation that could be detected by the Covenant, effectively allowing them to track its movements. As such, the arrival of the [[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]] in the Eridanus system spelt the death of the Eridanus Rebel base. |
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| However, the scouting report proved that a Covenant fleet was coming and Governor Jiles agreed to help the UNSC forces. With the help of the rebels, they began repairs on the two warships.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page ??''; '''2010''', ''pages 315-321''</ref>
| | == The Battle == |
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| === The commandeering === | | === Scouting Patrol === |
| [[Dr. Halsey]], who had spent large portions of her career wrestling with her guilt, had decided to pursue her own agenda to try and save the [[Spartans]]. To this end, she sedated [[Kelly-087]] and gave the [[Forerunner crystal]] to [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]] with explicit instructions to destroy it.
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| With the Corporal's help, she was able to move the Spartan onto Governor Jiles' {{Class|Chiroptera|subprowler}}, ''[[Beatrice]]'', which she then used to flee the system. This move frustrated both Governor Jiles, who felt it was a betrayal of trust, and Vice Admiral Whitcomb.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page ??''; '''2010''', ''pages 330-334''</ref>
| | After negotiating a meeting, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Whitcomb]] warned Governor [[Jacob Jiles]] that the Crystal meant that the Covenant would soon be arriving. Governor Jiles had just asked for proof of this claim when a [[Covenant Cruiser]] emerged from slipspace. After quickly assessing that both sides didn't have nearly the armed capabilities that they initially thought, Admiral Whitcomb tried the only solution available to him - the firing of a Plasma cannon. However, the Plasma Cannons magnetic coil failed, making the plasma blast shoot straight into the Gettysburg's hull rather than at the Covenant warship. |
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| === The main force ===
| | It was suggested by [[Spartan-117]] to try using the Magnetic coil on the Gettysburg to direct plasma from the Ascendant Justice. This worked and successfully destroyed the Covenant Cruiser, but at the cost of destroying the turret that had fired the shot. |
| However, neither were given much time to complain about the matter, as a large [[Covenant fleet]] arrived in system shortly after the Doctor's departure. Initially, 2 warships entered the system, prompting the coupled ''[[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]]'' to leave the rebel base, though without the evacuees on board.
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| By the time they were clear, a total of thirty Covenant warships had entered the system from three separate vectors. Whitcomb, feeling his duty was to Earth, not the rebels, ordered an immediate retreat to slipspace, leaving the helpless rebels to their doom.
| | However, the scouting report proved that a Covenant fleet was coming and Governor [[Jiles]] agreed to help the UNSC forces. With the help of the rebels, they began repairs on the two warships. |
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| Before departing, Corporal Locklear destroyed the Forerunner crystal, but underestimated the crystal's latent energy, and was killed in the process.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page ??''; '''2010''', ''pages 338-341''</ref>
| | === The Commandeering === |
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| | [[Dr. Halsey]], who had spent large portions of her career wrestling with her guilt, had decided to pursue her own agenda to try and save the [[Spartans]]. To this end, she sedated [[Kelly-087]] and gave the [[Forerunner Crystal]] to [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]] with explicit instructions to destroy it. |
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| | With the Corporal's help, she was able to move the Spartan onto a [[Chiroptera]] class vessel which she then used to flee the system. This move frustrated both Governor Jiles, who felt it was a betrayal of trust, and Admiral Whitcomb. |
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| | === The Main Force === |
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| | However, neither were given much time to complain about the matter, as a large Covenant fleet arrived in system shortly after the Doctor's departure. Initially, 2 warships entered the system, prompting the coupled [[Gettysburg]]-[[Ascendant Justice]] to leave the Rebel base, though without the evacuees on board. |
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| | By the time they were clear, a total of 30 Covenant warships had entered the system from 3 separate vectors. Whitcomb, feeling his duty was to Earth, not the rebels, ordered an immediate retreat to slipspace, leaving the helpless rebels to their doom. |
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| == Aftermath == | | == Aftermath == |
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| === Rebels === | | === Rebels === |
| It is assumed that the rebels were destroyed by the [[Covenant]] forces after the retreat of the ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice''. No mention is ever made of any refugees on board the ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice''.
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| ===Operation: FIRST STRIKE===
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| {{Main|Operation: FIRST STRIKE}}
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| The ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'' would take a detour to the Covenant rendezvous by ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' in Operation: FIRST STRIKE, eventually annihilating the vast majority of the fleet.
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| === Dr. Halsey and Kelly-087 ===
| | It is assumed that the rebels were destroyed by the [[Covenant]] forces after the retreat of the Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice. No mention is ever made of any refugees on board the Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice. |
| {{Main|Onyx Conflict}}
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| The Doctor and Spartan would eventually wind up over the planet [[Onyx]] during the [[Onyx Conflict]], a battle they would play a major role in. They would eventually be joined by several other survivors from this battle.
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| === ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice''=== | | === [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] === |
| It was shown that despite the rebels repairs, the ''Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice'' was in terrible shape from all the damage it had taken both during the battle over Reach and the following skirmishes. Thanks to the rebels repairs, the ''Ascendant Justice'' was able to put up a fight in [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]] and helped destroy a Covenant fleet. The ''Gettysburg'' was rendered habitable and was able to return to Earth after the battle.
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| ==List of appearances==
| | The Gettysburg-Ascendant Justice would take a detour to the Covenant rendezvous by [[Unyielding Hierophant]] in Operation: FIRST STRIKE, eventually annihilating the vast majority of the fleet. |
| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
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| **''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Im}}
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| ==Sources== | | === [[Dr. Halsey]] and [[Kelly-087]] === |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| {{Insurrection}}
| | The Doctor and Spartan would eventually wind up over the planet [[Onyx]] during the [[Battle of Onyx]], a battle they would play a major role in. They would eventually be joined by several other survivors from this battle. |
| {{Human-Covenant War}}
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| [[Category:Insurrection|Eridanus Secundus]] | |
| [[Category:Battles of the Human-Covenant War|Eridanus Secundus]] | |
| [[Category:Human-Covenant War|Eridanus Secundus]]
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| [[Category:Covenant victories|Eridanus Secundus]]
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