Editing Thomas Lasky

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Featured}}
{{Center|'''Lasky''' redirects here. For his mother, see [[Audrey Lasky]]. For his brother, see [[Cadmon Lasky]].}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Thomas Lasky
|image=[[File:Thomas Lasky, 2557.png|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Tricode Village]], [[Mare Erythraeum]], [[Mars]]{{Ref/Reuse|fud3}}
|birth=[[2510|August 15, 2510]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/thomas-lasky ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Thomas Lasky'']</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=age|1=According to Lasky's dog tags in ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'', he was born in August 2512, which would make him 13 years old during his time at Corbulo Academy in April 2526. He appears to be in his late teens or early twenties in ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'', and his actor, Tom Green, was 21 when the webseries was filmed. ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'' writer Jamieson Fry stated in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5IEiHdTv7E& an interview] that the cadets are "fifteen to sixteen" years old during the time the series is set. [[Halo Waypoint]] confirmed his year of birth as 2510, not 2512, so the date on his dog tag was probably a production error.}}
|death=
|causeofdeath=
|parents=[[Audrey Lasky]]
|siblings=[[Cadmon Lasky]] {{C|Elder brother}}
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Human]]
|gender=Male
|height=182 centimetres {{C|5 ft 11 in}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=100}}
|mass={{Convert|76.7|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4guide}}
|hair=Brown
|eyes=Brown
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
|rank=*[[Commander]] {{C|Formerly}}
*[[Captain]]
|sn=98604-72690-TL{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|There's a soldier inside of you, Thomas. I can see it. Everyone can see it. You need to see it; I know your brother did.|[[Kennedy Mehaffey|Colonel Kennedy Mehaffey]] speaking to Thomas Lasky{{Ref/Reuse|fud2}}}}

'''Captain Thomas J. Lasky''' ([[service number]] '''98604-72690-TL''') is a senior officer of the [[UNSC Navy]] who served throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]] and, in the postwar era, played a key role in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|conflicts]] with [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant remnants]] and [[Forerunner]] [[Promethean]] constructs.<ref name="SDCC H4 panel">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35_pXjNsDUY&feature=channel&list=UL ''YouTube'': ''Halo 4 Flag Stabbing and Spartan Cosplay - Comic-Con 2012'']</ref>

Since at least [[2552]], then-[[Commander]] Lasky served as [[Andrew Del Rio|Captain Andrew Del Rio]]'s executive officer aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. In [[2557|July 2557]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttw48|TTW|Page=48}} Del Rio was replaced as captain by Lasky just prior to the [[Didact]]'s [[New Phoenix Incident|assault on Earth]].{{Ref/Level|Id=mid|H4|[[Midnight]]}} Lasky was instrumental in helping the [[John-117|Master Chief]] stop the vengeful Forerunner, and under his leadership, the ''Infinity'' would play a key role in numerous important missions.

When the [[Created]] seized power in late [[2558]], Lasky ordered a tactical retreat, resolving to fight only when a way to do so could be found.{{Ref/Reuse|h5 guardians}} In [[2559#December|December 2559]], the ''Infinity'' was [[Battle over Installation 07|attacked]] by the [[Banished]] over [[Installation 07]] while bringing an end to Cortana.{{Ref/Level|Hi|Warship Gbraakon}} While Lasky managed to escape from the ship,{{Ref/Reuse|e1}} his transmission to transmit a rendezvous point was cut off abruptly,{{Ref/Reuse|ia12}} leaving his fate unknown to the UNSC survivors on the fragmented section of Zeta Halo,{{Ref/Reuse|RP13}} although Spartan [[Tomas Horvath]] hoped that Lasky and the other missing personnel from the ''Infinity'' were fighting the Banished elsewhere on the Halo ring.{{Ref/Reuse|RP39}}

==Biography==
===Childhood and education===
{{Quote|multi=more
|1=Chyler Silva
|q1=Look, you want people to change, you want this war to end?
|2=Thomas Lasky
|q2=Yeah, of course.
|3=Chyler Silva
|q3=Then you're going to need people to follow you.
|4=Silva and Lasky exchanging words following Mehaffey's lecture on Hannibal{{Ref/Reuse|fud2}}
}}
[[File:FUD - Thomas.jpg|thumb|left|Lasky as a cadet at Corbulo Academy.]]
Thomas Lasky was born on [[2510|August 15, 2510]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} to [[Audrey Lasky|Colonel Audrey Lasky]], his mother, in [[Tricode Village]], [[Mare Erythraeum]], [[Mars]] and grew up in [[New Harmony (city)|New Harmony]].{{Ref/Note|In the final cinematic of the ''Halo 4'' level ''[[Midnight]]'', Lasky states that he grew up ''on'' New Harmony. This appears to suggest he is referring to the planet [[New Harmony]], as opposed to the [[New Harmony (city)|city of the same name]] on Mars. However, Mars is established as his homeworld in ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'' and it is mentioned in the fourth issue of ''Halo: Escalation'' that he grew up with Petra Janecek on Mars. Thus it is most likely that the reference to the planet in ''Halo 4'' is a production error and Lasky is meant to be referring to the Mars city.}} During his childhood, he became friends with [[Petra Janecek]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/schlerf/status/437019297299181568 ''Twitter'': ''@HaloArchive @HaloWaypoint Was wondering how long it would take for someone to find that.'']</ref>{{Ref/Novel|FS|Detail=''[[Petra]]''|Quote=...at one of the carnivals she and her buddy Tom went to as kids.}} He began his officer training as a freshman cadet in [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] sometime preceding spring [[2526]], months after [[Human-Covenant War|hostilities]] between the [[United Nations Space Command]] and the [[Covenant]] began. The existence of the aliens was covered up by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] at the time, however, and the cadets continued to train to fight human rebels. Organized into [[Hastati Squad]], a freshman unit in the class of 2529, Lasky originally began as a team leader during field exercises.{{Ref/Film|Id=fud1|FuD|Detail=Part 1}}

During his time at the school, he regularly exchanged video messages with his brother [[Cadmon Lasky|Cadmon]], a former student of Corbulo Academy then serving as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] fighting in the front lines of the [[Insurrection]]. Enjoying a close friendship with his brother, Thomas was deeply struck when Cadmon was killed, starting to express doubt about the sensibility of the UNSC waging war against the Insurrectionists and viewing his training with cynicism, failing to take the exercises seriously anymore. As there were no remains their mother felt Thomas should not leave school to attend his brother's funeral. Meanwhile, Lasky continued to replay his brother's messages in his spare time.{{Ref/Film|Id=fud2|FuD|Detail=Part 2}}{{Ref/Reuse|fud1}}

Lasky's reputation suffered at his constant disregard for the orders of his superiors and displaying a lack of proficient knowledge of infantry tactics. He was subsequently relieved of his duties as team leader, which then fell to squadmate [[Walter Vickers]]. Despite this, he continued to ignore orders and continued to lead Hastati in receiving low combat scores. Lasky's sympathy for the Insurrectionist cause earned him a great deal of denigration from the rest of the squad. Worse, his health declined rapidly during the school's mandatory acclimation to [[Cryonics|cryosleep]]; he suffered from large blisters and a persistent cough.

[[File:CAMS - Lasky space elevator.jpg|thumb|250px|While at Corbulo Academy, Lasky would often retreat to brood near the Academy's [[space elevator]].]]

His classmates were unrelenting in their provocation of Thomas, affirming their distaste for the freshman who did not live up to the example set by his brother. Lasky's anti-UNSC views were frequently challenged by fellow [[Chyler Silva|Cadet Chyler Silva]], a staunch UNSC supporter and keen Corbulo student, who attempted to convince Lasky about the value of their training. In spite of their opposing viewpoints, their conversations led to the formation of a friendship and eventually romance between the two. Days prior to the end of the 2525-2526 school year, Lasky and Vickers were singled out by their squad leader, Senior Cadet [[April Orenski]], in response to Hastati's disciplinary physical training. Frustrated by the verbal and physical harassment he had received from Vickers, Lasky assaulted his squadmate in the school's mess hall. Senior cadets and underclassmen alike watched the altercation without intervening. Lasky mildly injured Vickers and stopped only to acknowledge [[K. L. Mehaffey|Colonel Mehaffey's]] presence. The professor took advantage of this quarrel in her mentorship of Lasky, hoping he would embrace the warrior culture of the UNSC and inspire him to become a better leader.{{Ref/Reuse|fud2}}

Mehaffey's efforts dawned on the young cadet and he volunteered to lead Hastati moments prior to the start of their final combat exercise, a contest of [[Capture the Flag]]. While waiting for [[Zuma Squad]] to approach their flag's location, Lasky had organized Hastati into cover in a tight formation adjacent their flag, an apparently senseless maneuver. Lasky ordered his men to remove their helmets as they contained [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] transponders that were detectable by the enemy's motion sensors. With Zuma converging on Hastati's flag, Lasky positioned his squad in a formation reminiscent of the [[Wikipedia:Pincer movement|pincer movement]], a tactic utilized to great effect by [[Wikipedia:Hannibal|Hannibal]] at [[Wikipedia:Battle of Cannae|Cannae]] in 216 BCE, taught to the freshman cadets only a day before the exercise by Colonel Mehaffey. The enemy soon realized that Lasky had funneled them into a trap and they were swiftly dispatched by two sections of Hastati cadets. The two Hastati elements continued to press in on Zuma's flag with ease, eliminating or capturing all enemy cadets, suffering no casualties of their own in the process. An emboldened Lasky, charging towards Zuma's flag, finally succumbed to his ailing health and collapsed meters away from completing the objective.{{Ref/Reuse|fud2}}

Examination by [[Hughes|Doctor Hughes]] of the academy's medical staff revealed that Lasky's condition was an allergic reaction to the cryo drug [[cytoprethaline]]. As cytoprethaline is vital for cryosleep to prevent damage to cells, Lasky was judged to be unfit for UNSC service and was given the option of a medical discharge. Cadet Chyler Silva approached Thomas about his decision to leave. Silva told Lasky that she would miss him and the two shared a kiss.{{Ref/Film|Id=fud3|FuD|Detail=Part 3}}

===Human-Covenant War===
{{Main|Battle of Circinius IV}}
{{Quote|Well done, soldier.|The Master Chief acknowledging cadet Lasky's bravery{{Ref/Reuse|fudp5}}}}
[[File:FUD - LaskySilvaSword.jpg|thumb|250px|Cadets Lasky and Silva face a Zealot's [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]].]]
Before Lasky had decided whether he would accept his voluntary discharge, [[Circinius IV]] was attacked by the [[Covenant]]. The Covenant completely overwhelmed the academy's Marine garrison within minutes, forcing Lasky and his fellow cadets into combat.{{Ref/Reuse|fud3}} Much of Hastati Squad was killed early in the assault, with Lasky, Silva, Orenski, and [[Michael Sullivan]] eventually becoming among the only survivors on the entire planet. The attack on the academy prompted one of the first deployments of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II supersoldiers]] in the war; [[Blue Team]], led by [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]], rescued the cadets. John killed the [[Sangheili Zealot]] that had been pursuing the squad and escorted them outside to [[Black|General Black]]'s [[M12 Warthog]] to escape to a [[D79-TC Pelican|Pelican]] extraction point. Lasky drove the Warthog out of the combat zone.{{Ref/Film|Id=fud4|FuD|Detail=Part 4}}

During their escape on one of the academy's access roads, Silva was killed by a stray shot from a [[Kig-Yar]]'s [[Type-33 Needler]]. Silva's death drove Lasky to despair, though he quickly became emboldened by her sacrifice. After the squad had run out of ammunition, the Spartan planned to distract a pursuing [[Mgalekgolo]] while the cadets escaped; however, Lasky sprinted ahead, drawing the Mgalekgolo's fire in an almost suicidal maneuver. John killed the Hunter while it focused on Lasky. After the group escaped on the Pelican, the Chief commended Lasky for his valor and gave him a shard of the Hunter's armor as a [[keepsake]], which he wore on a chain for over thirty years along with Cadmon's and Chyler's [[dog tag]]s.{{Ref/Film|Id=fudp5|FuD|Detail=Part 5}}

Some time after the battle, Lasky was commissioned into the [[UNSC Navy]] and qualified himself as a Naval aviator, flying fighter craft. Lasky was later retrained as a ship warfare officer.<ref name="h4guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref> During the Covenant's [[Battle for Earth|attack on Earth]] and the rest of the [[Sol system]], Lasky demonstrated notable skill in flying a [[Type-26 Banshee]] in [[Ankara]], [[Luna]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation2|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''}}{{Ref/Note|It is never stated when or under what circumstances Lasky flew the Banshee in Ankara. However, given that he makes a reference to an after-action report of the incident in ''Halo: Escalation'', it is most apparent that it occurred during the [[Battle for Earth]].}}

===Post-war===
{{Quote|People make stupid decisions in war. Wrong kit, wrong assets, wrong places, egos taking precedence over common sense, politics - the men and women at the sharp end up dying when they don't have to because someone further away from danger is more concerned about budgets or votes or ambitions. Well, we cut the politicians out of it. We've only got ourselves to blame now.|Cmdr. Thomas Lasky on the UNSC's emergency powers over the UEG{{Ref/Novel|TTW}}}}
[[File:Initiation - S-Deck's decompression.png|thumb|250px|Lasky is nearly sucked out of the ''Infinity''.]]
By the end of the war, Lasky had risen to the rank of Commander and had been appointed as the [[executive officer]] of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the most powerful vessel in the fleet. This posting was partially arranged by [[Margaret Parangosky|Admiral Margaret Parangosky]], who thought highly of Lasky.{{Ref/Reuse|ttw48}} In [[2553]], he gave a tour of the ship to [[Jun-A266]] and four of the first [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]]s, including [[Sarah Palmer]].

This was interrupted when [[Ilsa Zane]] and a group of Insurrectionists [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|took control of the ''Infinity'']] disguised as construction workers while Lasky and the Spartans were on ''Infinity's'' S-Deck. The insurgents were a part of the [[New Colonial Alliance]] and wished to steal the ''Infinity'' so they could use the vessel for their own ambitions. Zane and her rebels took Del Rio and the ship's bridgecrew hostage and shut down [[Aine]], the ship's temporary [[AI]], leaving Lasky and the Spartans to end the raid.{{Ref/Comic|Id=initiation2|HInit|Detail=''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''}} As Lasky and the Spartans made their way to the bridge, Zane decompressed S-Deck, ejecting several of the ship's crewmembers into space, with Lasky and Jun being saved by Palmer and [[Edward Davis]].

With the Spartans' help, Lasky was able to reach a security panel and input override codes, which gave Del Rio and the other officers access to the bridge and reactivated Aine. Meanwhile, Palmer and Davis made their way to the bridge along the exterior hull of the ship. When Zane attempted to have her insurgents attack Lasky and the other Spartans, Lasky closed a [[blast door]] between them. While Davis eliminated most of the rebels, Palmer ejected Zane into space. With the UNSC in control of the ''Infinity'' again, the remaining insurgents were captured and interrogated by the UNSC.{{Ref/Comic|Id=initiation3|HInit|Detail=''[[Halo: Initiation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''}}

He was present aboard ''Infinity'' during [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Lord Hood]] and Admiral Parangosky's inspection of the ship and the subsequent trial deployment on [[Sanghelios]] to test the ship's capabilities in the guise of assisting [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his forces in the ongoing [[Blooding Years]] in [[2553|March 2553]].{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=235}} With the help of the ''Infinity'', the Arbiter was able to defeat the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] at [[Vadam]].{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=405}}

===Expedition on Requiem===
{{Main|Battle of Requiem}}
[[File:H4 Cortana post-outburst.jpg|thumb|250px|Commander Lasky, John-117, Cortana and Captain Del Rio on the bridge of the ''Infinity''.]]
{{Quote|Weapons, prepare firing solution! We promised to get the Chief inside that ship, and I am not about to let that man down!|Lasky preparing to fire the ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s MACs upon the Didact's ship {{Ref/Reuse|mid}}}}
When ''Infinity'' began its operations on [[Requiem]], Lasky, along with [[Sarah Palmer]], a few Marines and SPARTAN-IVs went out to recon the area. When they were pinned down, he sent out a distress signal that was answered by the very same Spartan who had saved his life back on Circinius IV 31 years before: John-117, the Master Chief. After ridding the ''Infinity'' of [[Promethean]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] forces, Lasky briefed John and [[Cortana]] on the ''Infinity's'' mission to locate the other [[Halo Array|Halos]].{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]}} Lasky then led a "blowthrough op" to shut down the [[particle cannon]]s protecting the [[gravity well]] generator that was preventing ''Infinity'' from escaping Requiem. Lasky commanded a [[M510 Mammoth|Mammoth]] through the battlefield, but was ultimately left behind when the badly damaged Mammoth could go no further, and the Master Chief decided to go on alone.{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]}}

When Captain Del Rio decided to flee Requiem rather than trying to stop the [[Didact]], Lasky supported the Chief in trying to convince him otherwise and only reluctantly tried to take Cortana when ordered to do so. Later, after the Master Chief defied Del Rio's orders to go after the Didact by himself, Lasky was ordered to stop him at all costs. Ostensibly in case the Chief had already left, Lasky had a [[D79-TC Pelican|Pelican gunship]] prepared for full combat pursuit, but really with the intention of giving it to the Master Chief. After informing him of the fact and wishing him good luck, Lasky left him be.{{Ref/Level|Id=shutdown|H4|[[Shutdown]]}}

Upon return to Earth, Lasky passed on the Master Chief's warning and as a result of Del Rio's cowardice and Lasky's support of the Master Chief, Del Rio was removed from command and Lasky was promoted to Captain to replace him. When the Didact's ship, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' arrived, Lasky led the Home Fleet against the ship and was contacted by the Master Chief in a [[Broadsword]] fighter on the outer hull of the Didact's ship. After being informed that the fighter was equipped with a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon|nuclear weapon]], Lasky supported the Master Chief's efforts to board the ship, using ''Infinity's'' main gun battery to blast a hole in the enemy ship once the Chief took down ''Mantle's Approach's'' point-defense guns. After the Spartan destroyed the ship, Lasky dispatched [[Pelican 096|a Pelican]] to search the wreckage for him. The Pelican rescued the Chief and Lasky tried unsuccessfully to console him over the death of Cortana.{{Ref/Reuse|mid}}

===Return to Requiem===
{{Main|Requiem Campaign}}
{{Quote|no=two|q1=Commander Palmer. Things get boring in Spartan town?|Lasky|q2=Captain Lasky. You know I come here for my peace and quiet. I'm not interrupting naptime, am I?|Palmer|Cpt. Lasky and Cmdr. Palmer exchanging niceties after his promotion{{Ref/Reuse|Departure}}}}
[[File:Palmer and Lasky - Security.png|thumb|250px|Captain Lasky with Commander Palmer.]]
Six months after the initial battle in Requiem, Lasky was sent to Requiem again as the Captain of ''Infinity'' to deploy and provide support to the ground forces sent onto the surface.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=Departure|[[Departure]]}} Later, [[Fireteam Crimson]] brought a [[Requiem translocation artifact|Forerunner artifact]] onboard which started draining power from the ship. After Commander Palmer managed to temporarily deactivate the artifact, Lasky joined [[Henry Glassman|Doctor Glassman]] and Palmer to inspect it. When the artifact suddenly began to absorb the doctor, Lasky attempted to save Glassman, but was getting pulled in as well. Commander Palmer tackled him, and they both watched as Glassman was disintegrated and pulled inside.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Artifact (Spartan Ops)|Artifact]]}} Sometime later, Lasky brought in Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]], matriarch of the SPARTAN-IIs and engineer of the ''Infinity''{{'}}s engines in order to study the artifact in Glassman's absence, much to Palmer's dismay.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Catherine]]}}

Lasky went over a debriefing with Sarah Palmer about [[Fireteam Castle]]'s demise at the hands of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and found that their [[Jul 'Mdama|leader]] was on Requiem. He sent Crimson to take him down, only to fail, but they managed to retrieve a [[Didact's Gift|strange device]] that he was in possession of.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Didact's Hand]]}} An analysis by Dr. Halsey revealed the artifact to be the AI matrix of a Promethean Knight, filled with human memories. Lasky admitted to Halsey that the UNSC was aware of the Knights having been created from ancient humans; however, the memories in the device were far more recent, originating from a resident of [[New Phoenix]] [[Composer|Composed]] in the Didact's attack six months prior. Furthermore, the artifact retrieved by Crimson earlier on was somehow linked to the attack. Lasky and Palmer accompanied Halsey as she examined the artifact, but they became suspicious of [[Jul 'Mdama|who]] she was communicating with. After inspecting Halsey's [[data pad]], Lasky ordered Palmer to take Halsey into custody.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Memento Mori]]}}

[[File:H4-CaptainLasky-M45DShotgun.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Captain Lasky carrying an [[M45 shotgun|M45D shotgun]] during the Promethean incursion on ''Infinity''.]]
Later, Halsey managed to override Roland's control and found out everything that was kept from her, including the return of John-117. Despite her fury, she contacted Jul 'Mdama and attempted to meet him, only for Roland to retake control of himself and contact Lasky. When he arrived, he decided to keep her in a [[cryo chamber]] rather than a cell. In response, Halsey slapped him, scolding him for not telling her that John was alive. The two were interrupted, however, when Promethean forces gained access to the interior of ''Infinity''. Fending off the Prometheans with his Marines, Captain Lasky picked up Halsey and attempted to escort her to safety.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Invasion (Spartan Ops)|Invasion]]}} As the attack on the ''Infinity'' dwindled down, he went to the bridge with Halsey and Palmer, where he attempted to get away from Requiem to prevent more Promethean forces from teleporting to the ship. At that moment, a Promethean Knight translocated above them, knocking Palmer down and swiftly capturing Halsey, taking her away and revealing the purpose of the intrusion aboard the ''Infinity''.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=expendable|[[Expendable]]}}

[[File:H4 SerinSkypeCall.png|thumb|250px|Captain Lasky contacting [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], CINCONI.]]
After the incident, Lasky contacted [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], Commander-in-Chief of ONI. She told him that she had been recommended by [[Margaret Parangosky|her predecessor]] to keep Halsey imprisoned or have her executed; due to the doctor's recent actions, Osman chose the latter and ordered Lasky to have Doctor Halsey killed.{{Ref/Reuse|expendable}} However, Lasky did not see the execution of a civilian as necessary and ordered Palmer—who was gearing up to finish the job—to stand down but to no avail. In an attempt to thwart the assassination, Lasky requested the assistance of Fireteam Majestic to rescue Doctor Halsey from [[Copernicus Base]]. Both Majestic and Palmer ultimately failed in their respective missions, as Halsey was eventually abducted by Jul 'Mdama who took her with him as he left Requiem.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=key|[[Key]]}}

Later, Lasky was present as Dr. Glassman outlined a plan to free ''Infinity'' from the slipspace conduit system anchoring the ship to Requiem when multiple Covenant ships began to exit the shield world. Lasky quickly ordered the crew to battlestations, but Roland informed him that Jul 'Mdama's Covenant were not attacking—instead, they were leaving Requiem, which had been set on a collision course with the system's star by Jul 'Mdama, pulling the still anchored ''Infinity'' along with it. Fireteams Majestic and Crimson were dispatched to take out two artifacts keeping them attached to Requiem and eventually succeeded. Once the ship was free and Crimson and Majestic were aboard, Lasky ordered [[James (lieutenant)|Lt. James]] to move ''Infinity'' away from Requiem. ''Infinity'' made an immediate jump into slipspace, narrowly escaping the [[supernova]] generated by Requiem's collision with its sun. After exiting slipspace, Lasky informed the crew they made it and congratulated them. Later, he discussed sending Majestic to rescue Halsey with Commander Palmer, which she saw as an attempt to stop her. They entered a lab where Dr. Glassman was studying the half of the [[Janus Key]] given to Thorne. Glassman informed them that while the artifact seemed inert, it was in fact incomplete, and they were only seeing half of it.{{Ref/SpOps|[[Exodus]]}}

===Peace talks===
[[File:HE2 delegation in depot.jpg|thumb|200px|Lasky, Arbiter, Palmer and Adm. Hood during peace talks.]]
{{Main|Battle of Ealen IV}}
{{Quote|I've never been much for letting other people take a punch for me.|Lasky to Spartan Ray fighting side by side {{Ref/Reuse|escalation2}}}}

Upon returning to Earth, Lasky was requested to appear before the [[UNSC Security Council]] at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. He and Palmer were debriefed about the [[Requiem Campaign]]. Admiral Serin Osman berated him regarding the complete destruction of Requiem and the failed assassination of Dr. Halsey. Palmer defended Lasky's actions in order to spare him of any ramifications. Shortly after, Lasky met with [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] who pulled ''Infinity'' away from the pursuit of 'Mdama in order for it to partake in a more pressing matter. Lasky accompanied Hood on a diplomatic mission to [[Ealen IV]] to provide security in peace talks between [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]. During the negotiations, [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant mercenaries]] attacked the delegates. Lasky and the Spartan-IVs defended the delegation and evacuated them from the chamber. When their evacuation ship was destroyed, they proceeded to escort the delegates to a nearby parts depot. With communications to their ships having been blocked, they were left without any reinforcements.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE1|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''}}

Lasky ordered Palmer and the protection detail to escort the delegation to a fortified redoubt, while he would try to reestablish communications with the fleet orbiting Ealen IV. Palmer refused to let him go alone and tasked [[Naiya Ray|Spartan Ray]] of [[Fireteam Jackknife]] to escort the captain and utilize her SIGINT background. As they searched the facility, hoping to find the old Covenant network and utilize the facility's transponders to triangulate the source of a jammer, Lasky and Ray were attacked by a [[Sangheili Warrior]]. Upon eliminating the Elite, Ray discovered that the network itself was responsible for the jamming and informed Lasky that she could track the source of its power. After securing a pair of [[Banshee]]s, they observed Covenant ships take off towards the redoubt.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation2}}

[[File:HE Lasky.png|thumb|250px|left|Lasky striking a Sangheili Warrior.]]
Ray and Lasky attacked one of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant bases and destroyed the source of 'Mdama's Covenant jamming signal. Once the communications interference was cleared, Lasky contacted ''Infinity'' and told them about 'Mdama's Covenant attack. [[Bradley|Commander Bradley]] informed him of the situation between the feuding Jiralhanae and Sangheili ships in orbit. Lasky told him to patch him through to the fleets and ordered them to cease their infighting and direct their ships to the planet in order to save the delegation.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE3|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''}}

Lasky then contacted Palmer and informed her of 'Mdama's Covenant cruisers enroute to their site. With reinforcements too far way to help, Lasky was forced to make a costly decision. He ordered Palmer to evacuate the delegates on a [[Covenant cargo tug|small transport craft]] while [[Paul DeMarco]] and [[Fireteam Bailey]] stayed back and operated an [[Cheru-pattern Tyrant|anti-aircraft cannon]]. DeMarco and his team provided cover long enough for the delegates to escape but were subsequently killed when their cannon was obliterated. Lasky later presided over a memorial service aboard ''Infinity'' where he commemorated their sacrifices.{{Ref/Reuse|HE3}}

===Unearthing the mole===
{{Quote|no=two|q1=I agree this investigation needs to be off the books. My concern, Tom, is exactly how far off the books you're willing to take it. Or rather who you're willing to take it to.|Adm. Hood|q2=Sir. I know the two of you have some... history. But she and I have more. This isn't trusting her. It's trusting me.|Cpt. Lasky|Adm. Hood and Cpt. Lasky about the secrecy of their investigation{{Ref/Reuse|HE4}}}}
[[File:Escalation - Lasky and Petra.png|thumb|250px|Lasky and Petra discussing the UNSC traitor.]]
Days later, he and Lord Hood discussed the troubling prospect that the UNSC's hierarchy had been severely breached, as only someone in the upper echelon could have leaked the location of the negotiations. Both men agreed that the matter needed to be investigated off the books. Lasky sought to enlist the help of his childhood friend, the journalist [[Petra Janecek]], although Hood was uneasy about this decision. Lasky departed ''Infinity'' along with Spartan Ray and arrived in [[Castiglione]] on [[Escala III]] on March 10. They met with Janecek who agreed to help Lasky root out the spy in return for information about the Master Chief's whereabouts.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE4|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4|Issue #4]]''}}

Janecek, Lasky and Ray traveled to the Sangheili colony of [[Karava]]. Shortly after their arrival in the trade port of [[Kor Delban]], a Sangheili called [['Lordan]] felt provoked by Ray's attitude and drew his energy sword. Lasky attempted to stop a fight from breaking out, but before he could intervene Petra shot and killed the Elite. The trio then entered a local bar, where they met [[Zef 'Trahl]], Petra's contact. Zef informed them about Vata 'Gajat and his human collaborator, [[Daniel Clayton|Captain Daniel Clayton]], whereupon Lasky was surprised. Petra and Naiya asked him if he knew Clayton would betray the UNSC. Lasky confirmed their suspicions and revealed to them that Clayton was the illegitimate son of [[James Cutter|Captain James Cutter]], commanding officer of the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''}}

Three days later, Naiya and Lasky returned to ''Infinity'' near [[Oth Lodon]]. During their time away, ''Infinity'' had been lured into a trap by Captain Clayton and [[Ambush at Oth Lodon|attacked]] by the [[New Colonial Alliance]]. ''Infinity'' was saved by the Spartans who captured Clayton and killed [[Vata 'Gajat]]. Arriving onboard the ship, Lasky was greeted by Palmer who apologized for her behavior following the events on Ealen IV. Lasky accepted her apology and expressed guilt for not uncovering Clayton's ploy fast enough. Palmer assured him he was not to blame as it was Lord Hood that had taken off without him, telling Lasky to just call it a rough day and move on.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue #6]]''}}
{{Clear}}

===Ven III incident===
{{Main|Operation: WHISTLE STOP}}
{{Quote|You either deploy an entire team, or you don't take any action at all. There's no middle way. Thing is, I'm not sure you can live with doing nothing.|Sarah Palmer providing options to Cpt. Lasky{{Ref/Reuse|he11}}}}
[[File:HE12 LaskyPalmer Drink.jpg|thumb|250px|Lasky and Palmer discuss the mission.]]
On [[2558#May|May 9, 2558]], Captain Lasky was tasked by Admiral Osman to investigate the unclaimed planet [[Ven III]] where a new [[bioweapon]] had broken out in a laboratory and killed several [[Kig-Yar]]. A single [[Ayit 'Sevi|Sangheili]], believed to be an agent of [[Jul 'Mdama]], had exited the laboratory in possession of the bio-agent; Lasky was ordered to capture the Elite for interrogation before he could escape and the weapon could be used against humanity. Under strict orders to exercise extreme caution and use minimum force, Lasky chose to insert only two Spartans, [[Gabriel Thorne]] and [[Naiya Ray]], on Ven III.{{Ref/Comic|Id=he11|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 11|Issue #11]]''}}

After the Spartans were deployed to Ven III's surface, they lost communications with ''Infinity'' due to a jamming field located inside the planet's cave systems. Roland alerted Lasky about the communications blackout and suggested for ''Infinity'' to change course toward Ven III to provide backup for the Spartans. Having been ordered to avoid direct engagement, Lasky instead conferred with Commander Palmer. He suggested to Palmer that they deploy another two-man Spartan team to provide backup for Ray and Thorne, but Palmer insisted that they either deploy an entire Spartan team or do nothing. After Thorne was captured by the Sangheili and Ray's signal was terminated after she was ambushed by a Kig-Yar, Lasky ordered Roland to carry out the proposed course change and to call all teams on deck.{{Ref/Reuse|he11}} Upon arrival in the [[Ven system]], ''Infinity'' engaged the [[Kig-Yar pirate queen]]'s fleet over the planet headlong, while Palmer led Fireteam Majestic to the surface to rescue Ray and Thorne. After the fleet was destroyed and most of the pirates were killed, an ONI prowler arrived at the planet and simply led the unrestrained Sangheili aboard a prowler after Ray had captured him.{{Ref/Comic|Id=he12|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''}}

After the mission, Ray, Palmer, Thorne, and the rest of Majestic returned to ''Infinity'' and Lasky was debriefed by Admiral Osman. Despite the fact that Lasky turned a covert operation into a battle, Lasky noted that Osman was satisfied during the debriefing. After being told to drop the subject, Lasky managed to view a memo sent by an ONI analyst to [[HIGHCOM]] that concerned the growing number of Kig-Yar pirates on Ven III. Lasky realized that ONI intentionally had ''Infinity'' get involved so the pirates would be destroyed, after HIGHCOM failed to get involved. Additionally, Lasky realized that the Sangheili was just a mercenary and the bioweapon was part of the set-up. Lasky later discussed the mission's aftermath with Palmer and expressed his shock at the revelation. Lasky wondered which was worse: that ONI created a fake operation to kill Kig-Yar pirates or that they fell for the staged act.{{Ref/Reuse|he12}}

===The Janus Key===
{{Quote|no=two|q1=This woman, supposedly the greatest scientific mind of her generation, is out there collaborating with the enemy. All because we failed to do our job.|Palmer|q2=I'm the one who put her out of the confinement. And all the... complications... that followed... Those were completely on me.|Lasky|Cpt. Lasky blaming himself for Halsey's escape {{Ref/Reuse|HE13}}}}
On [[2558#July|July 16, 2558]], ''Infinity'' was present over [[Oban]] when the colony was [[Battle of Oban|attacked]] by Jul 'Mdama's forces. After a short engagement, Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces withdrew from the system. The next day, Lasky reprimanded Palmer for her reckless behavior on Oban; Lasky realized that Palmer was desperate to execute Halsey, even though he wishes to return her to UNSC custody. On July 18, ''Infinity'' entered slipspace to leave the Oban system, but was forced back into normal space and the vessel collided with an [[asteroid]] in an uncharted system. However, ''Infinity'' only suffered minor damages and Lasky ordered a second slipspace jump. However, the ship was again forced back into normal space, a quarter of a kilometer of her last position. Lasky met with Glassman and Palmer in the engine rooms of ''Infinity''. Glassman discovered that something was overriding the engine controls of ''Infinity'', while Roland reported an unusual energy reading coming from a nearby planet. Glassman and Lasky predicted that the source of the problem originated from the planet, and Palmer prepared to gather a team to send to the planet with Glassman. Meanwhile, 'Mdama and Halsey planned to intercept ''Infinity'' and retrieve the other half of the Janus Key. Using a Forerunner artifact to interfere with the engines of ''Infinity'', Halsey believed that the crew would be willing to hand the Key over willingly.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE13|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''}}

[[File:HE16 - Lasky and Palmer.jpg|thumb|250px|Lasky confronts Palmer about her actions on Aktis IV.]]
Lasky had Fireteam Majestic and Palmer sent to the surface of the planet—[[Aktis IV]]. The Spartans discovered a Forerunner structure and Glassman was sent to investigate. After the doctor discovered a Forerunner artifact that was seemingly related to the Janus Key, Glassman requested Lasky to have the UNSC's half of the Janus Key to be brought to the planet's surface. Despite Roland's uncertainties about the decision, Lasky had a Pelican and Broadsword deliver the Janus Key half to Glassman. However, [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|a rebel splinter group]] of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant shot down the aircraft and took the UNSC's half of the Janus Key for themselves.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE14|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''}} Jul 'Mdama's fleet, which had remained concealed below Aktis IV's foam ocean, subsequently engaged ''Infinity'' which remained locked in combat with 'Mdama's Covenant ships for the next seven hours.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE15|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''}} As the battle continued, Roland informed Lasky that Palmer had gone off on a mission of her own. Palmer intended to get revenge on Halsey, but the doctor managed to escape with the half of the Janus Key and Palmer was injured when she pursued. With both halves of the Key, Jul's fleet fled the system. Three days later, two ONI operatives arrive aboard ''Infinity'' to interrogate Palmer. While Roland stalled the agents, Lasky met with Palmer in an interrogation room on ''Infinity''. Lasky asked Palmer to tell him what had happened. Palmer explained that she could not bring herself to kill Halsey, and this allowed her to escape and give Jul's Covenant both halves of the Janus Key.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE16|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''}}
{{Clear}}

===The Absolute Record===
[[File:HE19-Lasky&Co.jpg|thumb|250px|Lasky, Palmer and Thorne before the mission.]]
{{Quote|This mission is bigger than Halsey. I need you focused on operation, not the opponent.|Lasky helping Palmer to adjust before operation{{Ref/Reuse|HE19}}}}
On [[2558#September|September 15, 2558]], Admiral Osman organized a team consisting of Spartans Palmer, Thorne, [[Holly Tanaka]], Dr. Glassman, and Ayit 'Sevi—the ONI-affiliated Sangheili mercenary Thorne and Ray had encountered on Ven III. Lasky briefed the team on [[Operation: ATHENA]], a mission in which the team would enter 'Mdama's Covenant carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' in a [[Ru'swum-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] operated by 'Sevi, who had infiltrated 'Mdama's ranks. Once aboard, the team would wait until 'Mdama's fleet—including the carrier—arrived at the Absolute Record and then use a [[telemetry probe]] to transmit their location to the UNSC. Before the team departed on the mission, Lasky had concerns about Palmer's priorities due to her personal feud with Halsey, although Palmer felt she was fully up to the task.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE19|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|Issue #19]]''}}

On September 26, 2558, when the team returned, Cpt. Lasky had a mission debrief with Sarah Palmer. He considered the operation successful; even though they didn't acquire the Janus Key or any other Forerunner tech from the Absolute Record, they still managed to prevent Jul 'Mdama and Dr. Halsey from doing so as well.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE24|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 24|Issue #24]]''}}

===Reclamation===
{{Main|Battle of Kamchatka|The Reclamation}}
{{Quote|I need a means to stop this now.|Cpt. Lasky on ongoing Guardians' awakening{{Ref/Level|Id=reunion|H5|[[Reunion]]}}}}
[[File:H5G-Lasky&Roland.jpg|thumb|250px|Cpt. Lasky and Roland observing a holographic map of the [[Milky Way]].]]
During the battle on the former Forerunner world of [[Kamchatka]] in October 2558, Captain Lasky and Commander Palmer briefed Spartan-IV [[Fireteam Osiris]] on their mission to retrieve Dr. Catherine Halsey from Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces after Halsey contacted the UNSC claiming to have information on several recent attacks on [[human colonies]] by unknown Forerunner entities.{{Ref/Game|Id=h5g opening|Halo 5: Guardians Opening Cinematic}} Following the successful retrieval of Halsey, Lasky was confronted by the doctor for taking so long to come for her, since she had sent him her position three weeks ago. Not wanting to discuss the matter in the hearing of Osiris or others in the ''Infinity's'' hangar, he told her that he would speak with her in private. On the [[bridge]] doctor Halsey briefed Cpt. Lasky, Palmer and Roland about [[Cortana]]'s survival and her control of Forerunner artifacts through the [[Domain]].{{Ref/Level|Id=glassed|H5|[[Glassed]]}} Lasky in turn informed her that the Master Chief went AWOL in order to find Cortana after receiving a "message" from her. Lasky then tasked Fireteam Osiris with recovering the [[Blue Team]] on [[Meridian]]. After his return from Meridian, [[Jameson Locke]] reported that Cortana was activating the [[Guardian]]s, enormous Forerunner constructs, which caused significant destruction and civilian casualties on human colonies and that the Master Chief traveled aboard the Guardian to an unknown location. When Dr. Halsey discovered yet another dormant Guardian was on the Elite homeworld of [[Sanghelios]], Palmer suggested that they send a ground team down to the planet to access the Guardian in order to get to the Master Chief.{{Ref/Reuse|reunion}} Despite of brass being against any UNSC involvement in Arbiter's war, Lasky managed to arrange for the Spartans to meet with the Arbiter. When ''Infinity'' arrived at Sanghelios' orbit, Lasky greeted the Swords of Sanghelios' ambassador onboard ''Infinity''. Before their departure Lasky reminded Locke about the secrecy of their mission and wished him luck.{{Ref/Level|Id=sos|H5|[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]}} After the awakening of Sanghelios' Guardian, Lasky sent a message to [[Franklin Mendez]], informing him of [[Cortana]]'s involvement in recent events.{{Ref/Novel|LoO|21}}

Lasky then returned ''Infinity'' to Earth and stayed on its orbit. There he was caught by surprise when on the next day ''Infinity'' received multiple distress signals indicating AIs shutting down everything from Earth to the Outer Colonies. Then suddenly ''Infinity's'' bridge lights darkened and Cortana's hologram appeared. Immediately she called a Guardian to near Earth's space, and Lasky ordered for emergency slipspace jump. ''Infinity'' managed to escape right before Guardian's EMP attack knocked out the power of every ship, every starfighter, all the [[orbital defense platform]]s, and every city on the surface of Earth. Believing Cortana could track them Lasky ordered them to continue random jumps and steer clear of major settlements until they found a way to fight her.{{Ref/Level|Id=h5 guardians|H5|[[Guardians]]}} After the [[Subjugation of Earth]], Lasky assigned Spartan [[92738-61842-LC]] to track down the root cause of Cortana's state after she survived her supposed destruction on the ''Mantle's Approach''.{{Ref/Game|Id=LC11|Halo Legendary Crate|Detail=''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop 11]]''}}

Shortly after the [[Subjugation of Earth]], Lasky brought the ''Infinity'' back to [[Sanghelios]] to pick up Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris. Spartan [[Edward Buck]] was approached by ONI Captain [[Veronica Dare]] to reunite [[Alpha-Nine]] for a top-secret mission regarding the [[United Rebel Front]], a mission so top-secret that not even Locke knew about it. While considering his choices, Buck encountered Lasky on the observation deck, but refused to tell Lasky anymore than he was having a personnel issue that was below Lasky's pay grade. Lasky assumed that Buck wanted a way out of Fireteam Osiris and stated that they valued Buck as a leader as well as a Spartan and he could have his own fireteam again in a heartbeat if he wanted it. Buck admitted that he was being asked to work with someone who had once betrayed his trust and that while Lasky couldn't help him, he was right about the view helping to clear his head. As Lasky turned to leave, he suggested that Buck trust Dare's judgment in all matters, apparently aware of Buck's mission, which Buck promised to keep in mind. Buck's encounter with Lasky helped him to decide to accept the mission despite his own reservations.{{Ref/Novel|Id=BadB2|BadB|2}}

After Alpha-Nine returned from their mission, Buck met with Lasky and Palmer in Lasky's main conference room about the mission. The two were surprised when Buck asked about what would happen with [[Michael Crespo|Mickey Crespo]] and advocated for keeping Mickey free to help with the [[Created conflict]]. Lasky was particularly surprised by Buck's words after he suffered such a personal betrayal, but Buck assured Lasky and Palmer that while he might be able to forgive Mickey, he would never forget what he did. Lasky dismissed Buck while he considered Buck's request after Buck stated that he could and would work with Mickey again if he was asked to do so. Later, when Dare and Buck [[wedding|got married]], Buck suggested getting Lasky to perform the ceremony as the captain of the ship, but Roland ended up doing it instead.{{Ref/Novel|BadB|21}}

===Operation: WOLFE===
{{Main|Operation: WOLFE}}
{{Expand-section}}

===Zeta Halo===
{{Main|Battle for Zeta Halo}}
Following the success of [[Operation: WOLFE]],{{Ref/Book|The Art of Halo Infinite|Detail=Back cover}} the ''Infinity'' was sent on a mission to [[Installation 07]] in order to lock down and delete Cortana.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Recovered Files 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Recovered Files #04 - The Weapon}} Lasky expressed concerns regarding John-117 being the only member of Blue Team conducting the mission, but relented, even reassigning Frederic-104, Kelly-087, and Linda-058 to another mission, much to Halsey’s chagrin.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #03 - Duty Clearance}}
 
On December 12, 2559, while [[the Weapon]] was being prepared for deployment,{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #01 - Preparations}} the ''Infinity'' and her escort fleet, in orbit of Installation 07, were [[Battle over Installation 07|ambushed]] by [[Banished]] forces.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia4|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #04 - Arrival}} With the ''Infinity'' taking heavy damage, Lasky ordered a premature deployment of the Weapon.{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #05 - Zero Hour}} Under the overwhelming assault, Lasky ordered the crew to abandon ship.{{Ref/Game|Id=ia12|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #12 - Abandon Ship}} Escorted by John-117 and [[Fireteam Taurus]],{{Ref/Game|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Infinity's Approach 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Infinity's Approach #10 - Priorities}} Lasky managed to escape on a lifeboat.{{Ref/Game|Id=e1|HI|Audio log (Halo Infinite)#Evacuation 2|UNSC Audio log|Detail=Evacuation #01 - Infinity Down}} While his lifeboat left the ship, Lasky made a transmission to transmit a rendezvous point, but his transmission was cut off abruptly.{{Ref/Reuse|ia12}} What happened to Lasky afterwards is unknown. The survivors in the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}} were unsure of what happened to him, only knowing that Lasky had last been seen being escorted into a dropship by Fireteam Taurus which Spartan [[Hudson Griffin]], the leader of Fireteam Taurus and one of the leaders of the UNSC survivors on Zeta Halo, was able to confirm. However, after that, no one knew, although if Lasky was found, it would certainly be a massive morale boost for survivors all across the ring.{{Ref/Novel|Id=RP13|RP|13}} On [[2560#May|May 25, 2560]], Spartan [[Tomas Horvath]] intended to head up-spin beyond the reach of the Banished looking for other UNSC survivors. Horvath liked to think that somewhere on Zeta Halo, Lasky, Palmer, [[Fireteam Intrepid]] and a massive number of Spartans and Marines were currently grinding the Banished into the ground and knew of the existence of the [[Harbinger]] and that [[Escharum]] was close to finding the Monitor of Zeta Halo.{{Ref/Novel|Id=RP39|RP|39}}

==Personality and traits==
[[File:H4 - Lasky n Chief.jpg|thumb|250px|Lasky and John-117 converse aboard ''Infinity'' after the Ur-Didact's defeat.]]
{{Quote|You say that like soldiers and humanity are two different things. Soldiers aren't machines. We're just people.|Captain Lasky to John-117{{Ref/Reuse|mid}}}}
Lasky is characterized by his personal moral compass and tends to make decisions based on his own sound judgment. He detests bureaucracy and politics,{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=213}} although several decades of conflict have taken their toll on his formerly iconoclastic attitude and ideals. This has made him somewhat apathetic to underhanded schemes within the UNSC's organization, although there are still lines he is unwilling to cross.

Lasky evidently cares about the lives of the soldiers serving under him. He attempted to comfort [[John-117]] after [[Cortana]] was killed.{{Ref/Reuse|mid}} When discussing a mole in the UNSC with [[Petra Janecek]], he ordered Spartan [[Naiya Ray]] to leave to prevent incriminating her in the future.{{Ref/Reuse|HE4}} He even took responsibility for Dr. Halsey's actions during the [[Requiem Campaign]], believing that her kidnapping was his fault.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}} Lasky gave [[Edward Buck]] advice when Buck was questioning his fitness to lead a fireteam again, which helped to convince Buck to go through with the mission.{{Ref/Reuse|BadB2}} In turn, this attitude has inspired a great deal of faith and loyalty by those serving under him in turn. After Lasky disappeared during the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], the survivors at the {{UNSCShip|Mortal Reverie}} wondered daily where he was and [[Lieutenant]] [[TJ Murphy]] noted that it would be a massive morale boost for UNSC survivors across the ring if the captain could be found.{{Ref/Reuse|RP13}} Spartan [[Tomas Horvath]] liked to think that Lasky was still out there somewhere fighting against the Banished with the ''Infinity'' crewmembers who could not be found and were not confirmed to be dead.{{Ref/Reuse|RP39}}

On several occasions throughout his career, Lasky has disregarded the orders of a superior if he feels that the order is either morally wrong or tactically incorrect, and will instead do what he feels is right. This actually got him promoted when he supported the [[John-117|Master Chief]] against his commanding officer. Similarly, he chose not to obey Admiral Osman's order to eliminate Dr. Halsey due to the moral issues with assassinating a civilian. At risk of being court-martialed, Lasky sent a Spartan team to rescue Halsey while Commander Palmer, ignoring Lasky's orders to stand down, had departed to carry out Osman's order. However, he is able to make "morally wrong" decisions when the mission absolutely calls for it. During the [[Battle of Ealen IV]], Lasky reluctantly had [[Fireteam Bailey]] remain behind on [[Ealen IV]], in order for [[Terrence Hood|Lord Hood]], [[Sangheili]], and [[Jiralhanae]] diplomats escape the planet to prevent their capture at the hands of [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant mercenaries]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE3}}

During his time at Corbulo Academy, he was known for his renegade attitude as an "Innie sympathizer" and was initially shunned universally by his squadmates and other classmates alike. Lasky was not hesitant whatsoever to express his views on the ongoing conflict with the colonies, even with the ardent anti-rebel stance held by the majority of Corbulo Academy's staff and cadet corps. This constant display of pacifism and sympathy towards the Insurrectionist cause did not hamper his enthusiasm to lead his team into combat; however, he preferred to use tactics that would force the enemy to capitulate rather than be killed. Many believed that Thomas would not live up to the level of excellence set by his brother Cadmon, by then a [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] junior officer in the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]], nor the expectations of his estranged mother to, at the very least, graduate from the academy. At the conclusion of his freshman year from 2525 to 2526, however, lingering doubts about his competency as a future officer were alleviated.{{Ref/Reuse|h4guide}}

===Relationships===
{{Quote|Chief, I won't pretend to know how you feel. I've lost people I care about, but... never anything like you're going through.|Lasky trying to comfort the Master Chief after his loss of Cortana{{Ref/Level|Id=h4 epilogue|H4|[[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]}}}}
As the growing [[Insurrection]] in the [[Outer Colonies]] demanded the effort of millions of military personnel, Lasky rarely saw his mother and their relationship faltered because of it. He still maintained a very close relation with his older brother Cadmon, even following in his footsteps with acceptance for schooling at Corbulo Academy. Thomas and his brother Cadmon, both seeming to be avid [[Toy|chess]] players, maintained an ongoing game, using empty shell casings and shotgun shells as pieces, through video messages while the two were at Corbulo and on [[Jericho VII]], respectively.{{Ref/Reuse|fud1}}

[[File:FUD - Chyler&Tom 2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Lasky with Chyler Silva before 'Mdama's Covenant invasion.]]
The hawkish Walter Vickers aggressively despised Lasky, lashing out at him with verbal abuse and eventually resorting to public physical altercations. [[Junjie Chen]], a [[Earth|Terran]], blamed his failing scores in combat exercises on the incompetence of his classmate. Her parents both being very high ranking officers from [[Reach]], [[Dimah Tchakova]] expressed her disdain for Lasky because of his pacifism and beliefs on the war. He was not without more tolerant contemporaries however. [[Michael Sullivan]] found common ground with Lasky, generally not caring for Lasky's reputation as he harbored no ill feelings towards the Insurrectionists and lacked any blind ambition within the UNSC. April Orenski, a senior cadet in the class of 2526, was Lasky's squad leader whom he seemingly viewed as an antagonistic figure. She led her subordinates with an austere style and instilled responsibility through reasonably harsh discipline; Orenski repeatedly shot Lasky at point blank range with [[Tactical training round|training rounds]] for ignoring orders and made him give her his meal following a squad-wide punishment for their failures in quick response drills. Lasky was granted responsibility of leading Hastati upon request and though appearing to be reserved for a brief moment about his ability, she warmed up to the situation knowing that it would strengthen him. After he led Hastati Squad to victory in its last exercise of the 2526 term, his relationships with his classmates became much less strained.{{Ref/Film|Id=FuD|FuD}}

Lasky ultimately found support at Corbulo in [[Chyler Silva]], a colonist accustomed to the horrors of the war, attempting to influence her friend in becoming a successful cadet at the academy. This support and friendship eventually turned into romance.{{Ref/Reuse|fud3}} Lasky was devastated by her death in the Battle of Circinius IV, and kept her [[dog tag]]s for over thirty years afterwards.{{Ref/Reuse|fudp5}}

Academy professor [[K. L. Mehaffey|Colonel K. L. Mehaffey]], who had previously served under his mother, began to distantly mentor Lasky, motivating him relentlessly in becoming a successful soldier. Whilst he earned positive reinforcement by superior officers such as Mehaffey and Orenski, headmaster [[Black|General Black]] held a mild bitterness towards the young Lasky. Black often singled him out and invariably used the example of his older brother, the well regarded Cadmon, to force Thomas to exceed his benchmarks set at Corbulo Academy.{{Ref/Reuse|fud1}}

[[File:Palmer and Lasky.png|thumb|250px|Lasky and Palmer conversing.]]
Lasky is one of the few non-Spartans to have a form of personal connection with [[John-117|Master Chief John-117]]. He was strongly affected by his first encounter with the Spartan on Circinius IV, with the Chief's commendation of his actions serving as a major source of inspiration for the young cadet in his fledgling career.{{Ref/Reuse|fudp5}} Over thirty years later, he teamed up with the Chief to defend ''Infinity'' from the Didact and his forces and to destroy the gravity well generator. When ordered to detain the Master Chief, Lasky refused the order and secretly and subtly supported the Chief by giving him a [[G79H-TC Pelican]] gunship to continue his efforts against the Didact.{{Ref/Reuse|shutdown}} His support ended up getting him promoted to Captain of the ''Infinity'' and during the [[New Phoenix Incident|Didact's attack on Earth]], while shocked that the Chief was there, he aided him in his efforts to stop the Didact directly by using the ''Infinity'' to help him enter the ship. Afterwards, he dispatched a Pelican to rescue him and arranged an honor guard of Marines and Spartans for his official return from being [[missing in action]]. After John-117 had defeated the Didact while losing his closest friend and companion Cortana, the two had a personal, though mostly one-sided, conversation about loss and the nature of being a soldier.{{Ref/Reuse|mid}} What Lasky said about soldiers not being machines affected John as Cortana had once said something similar, ironically moments before Lasky interrupted them.{{Ref/Reuse|shutdown}}

Lasky appears to maintain a close, if seemingly professional, relationship with ''Infinity'' Spartan complement commander, Sarah Palmer, as the two address each other largely informally and on a first-name basis. On occasion, the two have found themselves at odds over Lasky's tendency to weigh down orders based on his morals, while Palmer favors a more blunt and straightforward approach.{{Ref/Reuse|key}}

==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}}
*Lasky is the main protagonist of ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' and is mainly portrayed by Australian actor [[Wikipedia:Tom Green (Australian actor)|Tom Green]]; stuntman {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0610431/ Anthony Moyer]}} served as Green's double. Canadian actor [[Wikipedia:Ty Olsson|Ty Olsson]] appears as the older Thomas Lasky in the contemporary scenes aboard ''Infinity'';<ref name="MGS FUD credits">[http://www.microsoft.com/games/mgsgamecatalog/halo4_fud_credits.aspx ''Microsoft Game Studios —'' ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Series Credits'']</ref> Olsson also served as the basis for Lasky's motion-capture animation in ''Halo 4''{{'}}s campaign and ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' modes.{{Ref/Film|Making Halo 4: A Hero Awakens}} {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1394523/ Darren O'Hare]}} voices Lasky in the campaign and ''Spartan Ops''; his voice was dubbed over Olsson's during the contemporary scenes in ''Forward Unto Dawn''.{{Ref/Reuse|MGS FUD credits}} Lasky's birthmarks are consistently represented on all four portrayals of the character, but his contemporary hairstyle differs between Olsson's portrayal in ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and his in-game incarnation; while Olsson wears a short military cut similar to Green as young Lasky, the character has noticeably longer hair in-game. Lasky's in-game and ''Spartan Ops'' models are based on {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0041263/ Jonathan Aube]}}, who bears a clear resemblance to Green, albeit aged three decades; Olsson's facial structure is noticeably different from the other portrayals.
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: A Hero Reborn]]'' shows footage of a ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' cutscene depicting Lasky with the rank insignia of an admiral. [[Catalog]] later clarified that ''"Human [Trierarchus] Lasky remains a [Captain] as of [September, 2558]. Reference visual representation is [pro tem]"''. [[Wiktionary:pro tem|"Pro tem"]] is a Latin-derived phrase meaning "temporary", indicating that the model of Lasky in the ViDoc is not final and will be changed in the final game.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/was-lasky-promoted/9fb3b2fe-4cee-40b5-b0d9-48f171c9c033/posts?page=1#post5 ''Halo Waypoint Forums'': ''Was Lasky Promoted?'']</ref> Lasky is still identified as a captain in the [[Halo 5: Guardians Opening Cinematic|opening cinematic]] of ''Halo 5: Guardians''. Lasky's character model in the ''A Hero Reborn'' ViDoc also lacked the prominent shoulder pauldron featured in his prior depictions. The updated model in the opening cinematic includes the pauldron.{{Ref/Reuse|h5g opening}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:FUD - PortraitLasky.jpg|A portrait of a young Lasky as a cadet at Corbulo Academy in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:FUD Lasky Cryo Shirt.jpg|Cadet Lasky wearing his CAMS training coveralls on his cryo-suit.
File:FUD-Lasky-Armor.jpg|Cadet Lasky in Corbulo Academy training gear.
File:FUD - LaskyAR.jpg|Cadet Lasky wielding an MA5D assault rifle.
File:H4FUD-ThomasLasky-PortArms.jpg|Wider view of Cadet Thomas Lasky with MA5D at port-arms.
File:H4FUD-ThomasLasky-Waterfall.jpg|Thomas Lasky standing outside a water dam leading to Corbulo Academy.
File:H4FUD-ThomasLasky-Hastati.jpg|Thomas Lasky on point for Hastati Squad.
File:FUD - FightStill.jpg|Lasky attacks [[Walter Vickers]] in Corbulo's mess hall.
File:FUD Post-war Lasky cropped.jpg|Commander Lasky reviewing Cortana's distress signal.
File:H4 Lasky Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of Thomas Lasky in his duty uniform in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4 profile - Lasky.png|Full-body portrait of Commander Lasky in ''Halo 4''.
File:Lasky.png|CDR Lasky conversing with John-117 aboard ''Infinity''.
File:H4 Marine John Palmer Lasky.jpg|A Marine, John-117, Palmer, and Lasky converse.
File:H4 SOS1E1 Lasky AI.jpg|Captain Lasky overseeing ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s second expedition to Requiem.
File:H4-CaptainLasky-Marines.jpg|Captain Lasky escorted by UNSC Marines.
File:Halo Escalation 1.jpg|Thomas Lasky on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation]] #1''.
File:Halo Escalation 2.jpg|Thomas Lasky fighting a Sangheili Warrior on the cover of ''Halo: Escalation #2''.
File:H5G-CaptainThomasLasky.jpg|Full-body portrait of Captain Lasky in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
File:H5G-CaptainThomasLasky.png|Cropped portrait of Captain Lasky in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:H5G-Lasky&SOSSangheili.png|Lasky with a Swords of Sanghelios Sangheili Storm.
File:HLLC-Laskysig.jpg|Thomas Lasky's signature.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Petra]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Trial of Reckoning]]'' {{Mo}}
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

[[Category:Human characters|Lasky, Thomas]]
[[Category:Corbulo Academy staff and cadets|Lasky, Thomas]]
[[Category:UNSC Navy officers|Lasky, Thomas]]