Editing Second Ark Conflict (section)

==Battle==
===Encounter with Atriox===
{{Quote|no=three|Isabel|Douglas-042|Isabel|q1=Oh no.|q2=What was that?|q3=It's him.|Isabel after realizing Atriox had found them{{Ref/Reuse|The Signal}}}}
Entering the desolate facility, the Spartans discovered a [[holotable]] which [[Jerome-092]] proceeded to activate. Appearing in front of them was the orange [[hologram]] of a smart [[AI]], who expressed her relief that Spartans had arrived. Ordered to identify herself, the AI told Jerome she was [[Isabel]], and that she was in UNSC logistics for the Ark research outpost. After being asked where the survivors are and what the strength of the [[Covenant]] force there was, Isabel displayed confusion and told the Spartans they needed to escape. Unbeknownst to them, their [[Human-Covenant War|war]] with the Covenant Empire had ended [[2553|six years ago]]. Suddenly, they heard a loud thumping sound coming from further within the facility. After [[Data crystal chip|retrieving]] Isabel, Jerome signaled for them to move up into another section of the outpost.{{Ref/Reuse|The Signal}}

[[File:HW2-Chainbreakerslam.png|thumb|left|250px|Douglas and Jerome are forced into the air by Atriox's gravity mace.]]
Out of the darkness, [[Atriox|a]] heavily armored [[Jiralhanae]] grabbed Alice by the neck and lifted her up before throwing her to the side. As the other two Spartans began firing on the massive Brute, he slammed [[Chainbreaker|his]] [[gravity mace]] into the ground, sending them into the air and allowing the Brute to strike Jerome, launching him to the side as well. Using his mace, the Jiralhanae pulled [[Douglas-042]] in and slammed the supersoldier into the ground behind him. Alice ran back up from behind the Brute, firing her [[M6C magnum|pistol]] at the same time, before being knocked to the side. Recovering, Douglas gripped his [[M90 shotgun|shotgun]] but was kicked away before he could use it. Armed with a [[combat knife]], Jerome approached the Brute, dodged one of his strikes, and stabbed him before once again being struck away. Again, Alice fired her pistol at the alien but was deflected by the Brute's arm. Douglas picked up his shotgun again, but before he could fire it, the Jiralhanae knocked it out of his hand. Opting for his knife, Douglas managed to stab the Brute twice before having his shoulder crushed by the ursine's grip. As the Spartan screamed an agonizing cry and held his shoulder in pain, the Brute reactivated his gravity mace and, as Douglas started getting back up, struck him in the chest, launching him through the air and causing his helmet to come off. Removing the knife from his abdomen, the Jiralhanae picked up the helmet and crushed it, musing over the fact that his suspicion that Spartans were merely [[human]] was correct. As Alice and Jerome approached the severely wounded Douglas, Recon One reported that there were multiple hostiles approaching Red Team's location. With the pair deciding to leave, Alice began dragging Douglas, who soon fell unconscious. Exiting the research outpost, the pair were greeted by the sight of hundreds of warriors of various species surrounding them on the cliffs above. As Alice put Douglas in the Warthog and manned the gun, Jerome requested [[Archer missile]]s be launched on their position. As Jerome drove away from the facility, Alice fired at the pursuing Ghosts and the other ground forces teleporting around them. The Spartans soon reached a [[light bridge]], which Alice proceeded to activate. With enemy ground forces approaching, Alice volunteered to hold off them off while Jerome and Douglas crossed the bridge and were picked up by a [[D77 Pelican|Pelican]].{{Ref/Reuse|The Signal}} {{clear|left}}

===Getting up to speed===
{{Quote|If we don't stop Atriox now, we leave the galaxy at the mercy of a monster. So no, Isabel, we won't be running anywhere today.|Captain James Cutter to Isabel{{Ref/Reuse|The Signal}}}}
[[File:PL history lesson.png|250px|thumb|The crew learns how the [[Human-Covenant War]] ended and the [[Treaty of 2552|Sangheili alliance]] from Isabel.]]
After returning to the ''Spirit of Fire'', Jerome inserted Isabel's data chip into the [[bridge]] holotable and introduced her to Captain Cutter. The captain asked Isabel to report on what happened and what they're up against. Despite her apprehensiveness to talk, she told Cutter that the Brute the Spartans fought was called Atriox, the leader of the [[Banished]], a Covenant [[Covenant remnants|splinter group]] who fought the empire simultaneously with humanity. Isabel exclaimed that if the entire Covenant couldn't contain him, then the ''Spirit of Fire'' didn't stand a chance and that they needed to escape far away as quickly as possible. However, Cutter told her that while they did only have one ship, it was all they may have left and that he refused to leave the galaxy at the mercy of Atriox. As he put the vessel in combat-ready mode, the bridge crew ran back to their stations ready to fight and Jerome left to get prepared.{{Ref/Reuse|The Signal}} {{clear|left}}

===Assault on the salvage operation===
[[File:HW2 A New Enemy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Jerome-092 leading the attack on Decimus' salvage operation.]]
{{Quote|no=two|Jerome-092|Isabel|q1=I'm guessing that's Decimus.|q2=He looks bigger than the last time I saw him.|Jerome-092 and Isabel during the former's encounter with Decimus{{Ref/Reuse|A New Enemy}}}}
After conferring with Isabel on the best option for attacking the Banished chain of command, the AI told Cutter of Lieutenant [[Decimus]], the overseer of a ship graveyard salvage operation near the Henry Lamb research outpost.{{Ref/Reuse|A New Enemy}}
Deciding that they should hit the Banished with [[Attack on Decimus' Salvage Operation|a surprise attack]] and then establish a base of operations, Cutter deployed [[Strike One]], a unit of eight Marines led by Jerome, to the installation's surface. After fighting through Banished forces, the strike team arrived at a Forerunner tower giving off a massive power signature, which they proceeded to secure on Anders' recommendation. Pressing on, the Marines and Jerome made their way through the ship graveyard left behind from the [[Battle of Installation 00|final battle of the war]] before reaching a Banished base. Managing to overrun the base, UNSC forces eliminated the Banished forces and destroyed the base before preparing to set up their own in its place.{{Ref/Reuse|A New Enemy}}

After the Marines established the base, Isabel alerted them and Captain Cutter of a large energy build-up directly above. Despite being hit by the [[energy projector]] of the ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', the Banished's {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}, the base sustained only non-critical damage, allowing Strike One to continue north in the direction of the rest of Decimus' salvage operation.{{Ref/Reuse|A New Enemy}}

While fighting their way through several canyons of Banished forces, Strike One suffered a few more [[plasma]] bombardments before reaching a portal from which Decimus himself appeared. Managing to hold off the attacking Marines, Decimus proceeded to order a plasma bombardment on his own position while he was protected by an [[energy shield]]. As his reinforcements arrived, Decimus retreated back through the teleporter and ordered another strike, killing his own men as well as most of the UNSC forces. Realizing the Jiralhanae lieutenant must be trying to hide something, Cutter ordered the surviving members of Strike One to retrieve anything of value. Shortly after, Jerome found an encrypted piece of data which he promptly sent to Isabel. Expressing concern, Isabel stated the information points to [[Cartographer#Installation 00|the Ark's Cartographer]] and that she would explain what it is back on the ''Spirit of Fire''.{{Ref/Reuse|A New Enemy}} {{clear|left}}

===Activating the elevator===
[[File:HW2-Jerome vs Wraith.jpg|thumb|250px|Jerome-092 engaging a Banished Wraith.]]
{{Quote|The Cartographer's defenses make it almost impenetrable; the only way up to it is by a Forerunner elevator. If you can get access to the local Forerunner Control Towers, I can take control of the elevator and take us up. It's our only chance of getting inside.|Ellen Anders to James Cutter{{Ref/Reuse|Ascension}}}}
On the ship, Isabel and Anders went over the data from Decimus' base and found a way into the Cartographer, a repository of information on the Ark's schematics and systems. Reporting to Cutter, Isabel explained the purpose of the Cartographer while Anders explained how to activate the [[elevator]] in order to gain access to it.{{Ref/Reuse|Ascension}}

Sending a small, experienced unit of Marines led by Jerome, Cutter gave them orders to capture and access Forerunner [[Control Tower]]s so that Anders could activate the Cartographer's elevator. Moving up from the beach, the unit found destroyed Banished mining equipment, suggesting [[Sentinel|a third party]] was involved in the battle. Moving further up, the Marines soon discovered what had done the destruction: the Ark's [[Aggressor Sentinel|sentinels]]. Moving on, the Marines encountered the first Control Tower and eliminated the Banished forces protecting it. After doing the same with the rest of the Control Towers, Anders was able to gain access to the elevator and transport the Marines up to the Cartographer.{{Ref/Reuse|Ascension}} {{clear|left}}

===Marine rescue===
[[File:HW2-Alice leading Marines.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Alice-130 escorting a group of rescued Marines.]]
{{Quote|no=three|Alice-130|James Cutter|Alice-130|q1=Spirit of Fire Actual, this is Alice One-Three-Zero reporting in.|q2=Good to hear from you Alice. How did you make it out?|q3=Commandeered an enemy vehicle, sir. I've rescued some of our troops and we're ready to get back in the fight.|Alice-130 coming back into contact with the ''Spirit of Fire''{{Ref/Level|Id=One Three Zero|HW2|HW2:One Three Zero|One Three Zero}}}}
After escaping the research outpost, Alice began tracking an enemy convoy to one of their compounds. Discovering they had imprisoned some of the ''Spirit of Fire's'' Marines, the Spartan infiltrated the base and freed the prisoners. After moving to a few more prison compounds, Alice was able to free the remaining captive UNSC personnel and kill a few Banished patrols, alerting the enemy to their presence. After arriving at another research outpost, Alice sent an encrypted message to Captain Cutter, who informed her that Pelicans were on the way but so were Banished forces. Managing to hold off the advancing units long enough for the Pelicans to arrive, Alice and the rescued personnel managed to get aboard and escape with their vehicles and cyclops armor. Shortly afterward, Cutter gave Alice command of the rescued Marines, their equipment and vehicles so they could perform hit-and-run operations against the Banished, while Isabel prepared a briefing package to get her back up to speed with the situation.{{Ref/Reuse|One Three Zero}} {{clear|left}}

===Infiltrating the Map Room===
{{Quote|Isabel gave me everything the UNSC already knows about the area and it looks like we'll need to reach the Map Room.|Ellen Anders to James Cutter{{Ref/Level|Id=The Cartographer|HW2|HW2:The Cartographer|The Cartographer}}}}

After reaching the Cartographer via the elevator, the UNSC forces discovered an energy shield was preventing them from accessing the central chamber and the Map Room. Moving up, Jerome and the Marines encountered a conduit and proceeded to fire on it in an attempt to take down the shield. Before they could, however, the Ark's self-preservation protocol sent sentinels to the location, forcing the Marines to retreat. Fortunately for the UNSC soldiers, Isabel and Anders' project, an [[EMP]] weapon, was ready to deploy. The EMP devices were launched down from the ''Spirit of Fire'' onto the sentinels, successfully neutralizing them and allowing Jerome and the Marines to disable the conduit. With the conduit disabled, the energy shield protecting the central chamber was deactivated and Anders proceeded in. Activating a Forerunner interface, Anders learned that the Marines would have to disable three more conduits in order for the Map Room's shield to go down. After repeating the process for the next three conduits, the energy shield finally dissipated, and after one more strike with the EMP missiles on the sentinels, Anders was able to access the Map Room. Accessing the Cartographer's data, Anders discovered that the Banished were using the Ark's network of thousands of portals to move around and reported her findings to Captain Cutter.{{Ref/Reuse|The Cartographer}} {{clear|left}}

===Crippling the portal network===
[[File:HW2-Portal attack.jpg|thumb|250px|[[D77 Pelican|Pelicans]] moving in to attack the Banished portals.]]
{{Quote|He's spread his troops far and wide by abusing the Ark's network of portals. That's his biggest mistake… Some of Atriox's troops will be stranded and the rest won't be able to redeploy as easily. It'll give us a fighting chance.|James Cutter on destroying the portal network's hub{{Ref/Reuse|Lights Out}}}}
Intending to cripple the Banished's portal network and strand most of their forces, Cutter deployed Jerome, a recovered Douglas, and the Marines near the network's control hub with orders to destroy it. As they advanced on the hub, the Marines destroyed portals along the way to prevent being overrun. After fighting through more Banished reinforcements, the Marines encountered a chasm which they crossed using a portal. Nearing the control hub, the UNSC forces neutralized the last of the Banished forces and destroyed the device, shutting down the portal network. Enraged, a heavily armored Decimus descended on them but was unable to prevail against the human forces. After reporting on the Brute's defeat, the unit was informed that the ''Spirit of Fire'' was under attack and that they had to return to the ship immediately.{{Ref/Reuse|Lights Out}}

===Dealing with the carrier===
{{Quote|That ship brought these monsters. Killed everyone I was supposed to protect. Now it wants to do the same to you. I won't let that happen. It's time to show them what power really means around here.|Isabel on dealing with the ''Enduring Conviction''{{Ref/Reuse|Hold the Line}}}}
[[File:HW2-Defending the particle cannon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Alice directing UNSC forces as they defend the particle cannon.]]
While Alice fended off Banished troops on the surface, more and more of the ''Spirit of Fire's'' turrets were being destroyed by the Banished's relentless [[Banshee]] runs. Having found a way to create a portal away from the Ark, Anders proceeded to the bridge and informed Cutter and Isabel of her plan to deploy [[Installation 09|a preconstructed Halo ring]] maintained in the Ark's [[Foundry (location)|Foundry]] through slipspace. Cutter suggested that if it was deployed to replace the one the [[John-117|Master Chief]] [[Battle of Installation 04|destroyed]], it would be near enough to [[Reach]] for the UNSC to pick up a [[distress beacon]]. However, their impending destruction by the ''Enduring Conviction'' meant that it would have to be dealt with first. Forming a plan, Isabel requested ground forces be split up in order to buy time.{{Ref/Reuse|Hold the Line}}

Accessing a Forerunner [[particle cannon]] on the Ark's surface, the UNSC targeted the ''Enduring Conviction'', immobilizing it and causing its shields to drain. The importance of the assault carrier prompted the Banished to assault the cannon with all available local forces, drawing troops away from the Banished base underneath the carrier where Jerome and Isabel were approaching the vessel's [[gravity lift]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Hold the Line|HW2|HW2:Hold the Line|Hold the Line}}

As Jerome and Isabel, with support from a unit led by Alice, neared the platform, their Pelicans were shot down by Banished turrets guarding the lift. The Spartans managed to survive the crash and reunite with a unit of UNSC [[sniper]]s. Needing a clear path to the grav lift, Jerome requested Alice take care of the anti-air turrets surrounding the grav-lift. Deciding to utilize the [[Kodiak]]s, Alice positioned the vehicles on the edge of the cliff near the platform and ordered them to fire on the Banished ordnance.{{Ref/Reuse|Under the Dark}}

[[File:HW2-Sentinel bombardment.png|thumb|250px|The Ark's Sentinels bombarding the ''Enduring Conviction''.]]
With the particle cannon finally having managed to break through the ''Enduring Conviction's'' shields, Jerome was notified that he was clear to board and all remaining UNSC personnel underneath the carrier were extracted immediately.{{Ref/Reuse|Hold the Line}}

Arriving inside the carrier, Jerome made quick work of the [[Sangheili]] in the area before inserting Isabel into a nearby [[holotank]]. Accessing the vessel's firing systems, Isabel managed to fire its underside energy projector. As the plasma beam penetrated the surface of the Ark, the installation's sentinels, in a desperate attempt to stop the destruction, launched themselves at the weakest part of the carrier. As the sentinels cut away at the vessel, Jerome held off Jiralhanae reinforcements. With the sentinels having done enough destruction to the carrier, the energy projector shut down and the front section of the vessel began to separate. Retrieving Isabel from the holotank, Jerome, in a move seemingly inspired by [[John-117]]’s jump from orbit to atmosphere in [[2552]], proceeded to jump out of the newly-formed opening, dodging debris as he descended to the Ark's surface.{{Ref/Reuse|Under the Dark}} {{clear|left}}

===Stopping Banished reinforcements===
[[File:HW2-Access point assault.jpg|thumb|250px|Douglas's Scarab, Marines, and [[Cyclops]]es battling Banished forces on their way to the access point.]] 
{{Quote|When a new ring is launched, the Ark activates access points so sentinels can finalize preparations. Atriox must be using these points to send his troops up.|Ellen Anders to James Cutter{{Ref/Level|Id=The Foundry|HW2|HW2:The Foundry|The Foundry}}}}
With Anders having initiated the Halo ring's deployment sequence, the ''Spirit of Fire'' sent forces to the superweapon's surface in order to find the [[Control Room]]. However, using one of the Ark's [[access point]]s, the Banished were able to instantaneously send troops to the ring, slowly overwhelming the UNSC forces there.{{Ref/Reuse|The Foundry}}

When a unit of Marines arrived at the access point's location, they found that the Banished vehicle barricade was too strong to push through. However, the UNSC forces soon managed to locate a [[Barukaza Workshop Scarab|Scarab]] under repair, whose [[focus cannon]] was strong enough to destroy the enemy blockade. With the ''Spirit of Fire'' having launched Archer missiles at the Banished troops surrounding the surviving Marines, Douglas and Alice were dropped off to reinforce their assault on the Scarab. After fighting through Banished forces preparing to transit to the ring, the unit approached the damaged Scarab and encountered its commander, [[Orda Val 'Saham]], who they soon neutralized. With Douglas in control of the Scarab, he and the Marines were soon able to rid the area of Banished forces. Reaching the access point, Alice and Douglas received orders from Captain Cutter to proceed through the portal and destroy it behind them, then move on to assist with fighting the Banished forces on the ring in order to reach the Control Room.{{Ref/Reuse|The Foundry}}

===Battle of Installation 09===
[[File:HW2-Banished ejected.png|thumb|left|250px|The Banished forces on the Halo ring are ejected into space.]]
{{Quote|We've got to get to that [[Control Room (Installation 09)|Control Room]] so I can deactivate the Halo's firing systems and plant our signal beacon. If I can't do that, we won't be sending an SOS back home, we'll be sending a very large and very live bomb.|Ellen Anders to James Cutter{{Ref/Reuse|The Halo}}}}
After reuniting with Jerome on the Halo, Red Team led Marine forces to [[Alpha Base (Installation 09)|Alpha Base]] and defeated the Banished forces there. However, the Banished had already set up a shield sealing off the ring's Control Room, where Anders was to disable the firing systems and plant the comms beacon. Suddenly, a [[Retriever]] sentinel appeared, wreaking havoc on the UNSC forces before the Marines could send it into retreat. Realizing the sentinel could be used to their advantage, Anders told Red Team that if they could secure three Control Towers, she would be able to take control of the Retriever. Making their way to the towers, the Marines defeated the surrounding Banished forces and secured them, allowing Anders to take control of the massive sentinel. Using the machine's main weapon, Anders destroyed the [[shield generator]] in one blast, allowing her to access the Control Room. As the professor descended, the Spartans and Marines stayed behind to defend the structure.{{Ref/Reuse|The Halo}}

While Anders worked on accessing the ring's firing systems, the Marines set up turret emplacements and defended against incoming Banished forces. With support from the ''Spirit of Fire'' and Marine reinforcements, the UNSC held back heavy Banished reinforcements long enough for Anders to access the weapons systems and plant the distress beacon. However, Anders reminded Cutter that the Banished still needed to be removed from the ring but that she found a way to speed that up. Telling Cutter to clear UNSC forces from the immediate area, Anders proceeded to manipulate the Halo's [[gravity anchor]]s, creating an energy shield around the remaining Banished forces before ejecting the land they were standing on into space.{{Ref/Level|Id=Last Stand|HW2|HW2:Last Stand|Last Stand}}

[[File:HW2-Anders meets a Guardian.png|thumb|250px|Anders looking up at the newly-arrived Guardian.]]
With the Banished forces on the ring dealt with, Red Team and the Marines evacuated to the ''Spirit of Fire'' immediately. However, Anders realized she didn't have enough time to reach them before the ring transitioned into slipspace. With Anders out of reach, Cutter got to work planning their next offensive against the remaining Banished forces,{{Ref/Reuse|Beyond}} while Atriox prepared his army for their inevitable next battle.

The ''Spirit of Fire'' crew's attempt to deploy the new Halo to the Soell system was unsuccessful. The ring was forcibly pulled out of slipspace on its way by a [[Guardian]], which Anders encountered upon returning to the surface.{{Ref/Reuse|Last Stand}} {{clear|left}}

[[File:HW2 Not on My Watch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Sunray 1-1 during OPERATION: SPEARBREAKER.]]
===Operation: SPEARBREAKER===
{{Main|Operation: SPEARBREAKER}}
A month after the departure of the Halo, the ''Spirit of Fire'' picked up a cloaked area. [[O'Sullivan]], the supervisor of the scout drones, informed the captain and [[Sunray 1-1]] along with [[India Company]] was deployed to the battlefield to discover what the Banished were up to. Reaching their destination, they found a Forerunner {{Class|Despair|fighter}} docked inside one of the installation's hangars, and the Banished attempting to launch it to destroy ''Spirit of Fire''. Colony made an attempt to stop them by deploying multiple Goliaths and a Hunter Captain, but their efforts were thwarted by Sunray 1-1 who destroyed the fighter before it could be launched, thwarting the plan.{{Ref/Reuse|Gatecrashers}}{{Ref/Reuse|Watch}}

===Yapyap's rebellion===
Sometime during the battle [[Yapyap]] the Destroyer abandoned the Banished with forces under his command in favor of locating the fabled Golden Methane Hydrate Mines of Sabator, several [[Sangheili]] and  [[Mgalekgolo]] also defected to join his rebellion.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLY|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Yapyap THE DESTROYER}} His Throne of Woe somehow enabled him to receive Unggoy reinforcements.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLCF|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Cannon Fodder}}

[[File:HLC Flood Warning.png|thumb|right|250px|Pavium fighting Flood.]]
===Awakening a nightmare===
{{Quote|I told you not to go inside. For good reason!|Atriox to Voridus{{Ref/Reuse|Manifestation}}}}
{{Main|Outbreak on Installation 00}}
Two months after the departure of Installation 09, Atriox sent two Warlords, [[Voridus]] and [[Pavium]] to salvage starships near the ruins of [[High Charity]] and scout the dome surrounding it. During the salvaging operation, Voridus disabled the Sentinel defense network around High Charity having his forces fight against many sentinels and a few scattered UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|WCGW}} Some UNSC Marines and vehicles from the ''Spirit of Fire's'' crew fell to Flood infection and were assimilated.{{Ref/Reuse|Fighting}} Piercing a hole through the shield surrounding High Charity with a Scarab, Voridus hoped to salvage equipment from the destroyed Covenant holy city. However, he and his forces inadvertently released the [[Flood]] that had managed to survive [[Installation 08]]'s firing.{{Ref/Reuse|Fighting}} Following several retreats, Pavium and his forces were able to hold off the Flood long enough for Voridus and his strike team to reactivate the Sentinel defense network.{{Ref/Level|Id=Archive|HW2|Section=Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare|SectionLinkText=Awakening the Nightmare|HW2:The Archive|The Archive}} Using [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]s and eventually a [[Retriever Sentinel]], Pavium and Voridus were able to destroy a [[Proto-Gravemind]] near High Charity moments before it could turn into a [[Gravemind]]. 

With the Sentinels reactivated and the Proto-Gravemind destroyed, the Flood were once again contained by the Sentinels and the Banished.{{Ref/Reuse|Manifestation}} The Banished and the Sentinels u