Editing Operation: SMOKING ACES

{{Era|HCW}}
{{Battle
|prev = [[Assault on Eridanus Secundus]]
|conc = 
|next = [[Scyllion Warehouse District riot]]
|name = Operation: SMOKING ACES
|image = 
|conflict = [[Insurrection]]
|date = May 1, [[2531]]
|place = [[Camp New Hope]], [[Victoria]], [[111 Tauri system]]
|result = [[UNSC]] victory
|side1 = [[United Nations Space Command]]
|side2 = [[Insurrectionist]]s
|commanders1 = [[John-117]]
|commanders2 = [[General]] [[Howard Graves]]†
|forces1 = *{{UNSCShip|Bunker Hill}}
*1 [[D77-TC Pelican]]
*[[Blue Team]]
**5 [[SPARTAN-II]] supersoldiers
|forces2 = *Dozens of rebel guards and commandos
*[[MAKO drone]]s 
|casual1 = None
|casual2 = *General Howard Graves
*19 guards
*12 commandos
*1 MAKO drone}}
'''Operation: SMOKING ACES'''<ref name="TIH">[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/1256206995616563201?s=19 ''Halo on Twitter'':] ''"#TodayInHalo, 2531 – The UNSC launch Operation: SMOKING ACES at Camp New Hope on the colony of Victoria. #FictionFriday"''</ref> was an action which took place on May 1, [[2531]], during which a five [[SPARTAN-II]] supersoldiers, known as [[Blue Team]], infiltrated the [[Insurrectionist]] [[Camp New Hope]] on the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] colony world of [[Victoria]], in the [[111 Tauri system]]. It was a UNSC victory as the SPARTANs recovered three nuclear weapons, neutralized numerous rebel personnel, and escaped without a single casualty.

==Background==
By 2531, Insurrectionists had repeatedly had their operations disrupted by a four-man team of Spartan-II supersoldiers known as [[Blue Team]]. The team disrupted Insurrectionist operations at [[Station Jefferson]], onboard the [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]] ''[[Origami]]'', in [[wikipedia:Micronesia|Micronesia]], and at a high-explosives manufacturing facility at an unspecified location. Blue Team was also involved in interfering with a saboteur cell on [[Reach]]. <ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''pages 36-37''</ref> In response to Blue Team's actions against them, the rebels gathered three [[FENRIS nuclear warhead]]s, stolen from the UNSC, at Camp New Hope. The means by which the warheads were assembled was not subtle, and the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] took notice of the congregation. The Insurrectionists contacted the UNSC, offering to trade the warheads in exchange for medicines for their people suffering from [[Boren's Syndrome]]. The UNSC, with its stockpiles depleted by the war with the [[Covenant]], agreed to this exchange. The Insurrection then set a trap for Blue Team, whom they anticipated would be sent to recover the warheads.

==The Raid==
Camp New Hope had an extensive defense system, featuring motion and seismic detectors, a triple-layering of guards, [[Warthog APC]]s, trained dogs, and [[MAKO drone]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 31''</ref> Despite this, Blue Team was able to neutralize numerous guards and infiltrate a warehouse at the center of the base. There, the Insurrectionists successfully ambushed [[John-117]], [[Frederic-104]], [[Kelly-087]], and [[Linda-058]] using an [[antigravity plate]], giving the SPARTAN-IIs [[wikipedia:Decompression_sickness|decompression sickness]]. The four SPARTAN-IIs were fitted with [[neural-inhibitor collar]]s so that they could be interrogated by rebel leader [[General]] [[Howard Graves]]. The rebels were unaware, however, of a fifth SPARTAN who had avoided the trap: new addition to the team, [[Kurt-051]]. Kurt was able to free the other members of Blue Team using a modified Warthog and several [[Asteroidea anti-personnel mine]]s. General Howard Graves was killed in the process.
 
The freed Spartans loaded the three warheads into the Warthog and retreated from the base before the Insurrectionists could organize a proper counterattack. They were then picked up by a [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican dropship]] and left the system aboard the {{UNSCShip|Bunker Hill}}.

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
<references/>
{{Insurrection}}
[[Category:Insurrection]]
[[Category:UNSC Victories]]
[[Category:Operations]]