UNSC Black Widow

UNSC Black Widow
Production information
Class:	Razor-class prowler
Specifications
Slipspace drive:	Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine
Hull:	Titanium-A armor
Armament:	30mm autocannons M28 Shrieker missiles
Service information
Participated battles:	Battle of Seoba Attack on Zhoist
Fleet:	Task Force Yama
Known commanders:	Lieutenant Esme Guayte
Affiliation:	UNSC Navy

The UNSC Black Widow was a Razor-class prowler commanded by Lieutenant Esme Guayte in service with the UNSC Navy. In early 2526, the Black Widow was assigned to Task Force Yama for the duration of Operation: SILENT STORM.

Service history

SILENT STORM

Main article: Operation: SILENT STORM

In March 2526, Task Force Yama—including the Black Widow—was split off from the rest of Vice Admiral Preston Cole's Battle Group X-Ray and given a new mission. Operation: SILENT STORM would have prowler task force escort twelve SPARTAN-IIs and the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers of the 21st Space Assault Battalion into battle against the Covenant fleet, with the intent of inserting them onto the alien vessels and destroying them from the inside. This would hopefully slow their destructive advance through the Outer Colonies while the UNSC formulated a plan to effectively combat this new threat.

Battle of Seoba

Main article: Battle of Seoba

It was decided that Task Force Yama would wait for a Covenant fleet at Seoba, one of Biko's moons. However, when the task force arrived on March 18, they discovered insurrectionists entrenched in the very same quarry that the UNSC had chosen to be their staging ground for the operation. The ensuing battle ended in the UNSC's favor, with Task Force Yama taking control of the quarry and capturing a number of insurgents, including General Harper Garvin of the United Rebel Front.

The next day, the captured insurrectionists were being loaded onto the Emmeline, a Banta-class colony ship that would take them to Biko to be put on trial. However, a Covenant flotilla arrived and began assaulting the quarry. The Black Widow and the rest of the task force were deployed immediately to challenge these vessels. When the Emmeline launched a few minutes later, it was fired upon by the flotilla, but none of the shots landed. Following the end of the battle, the Black Widow recorded the transport breaking Seoba's orbit on one of her combat cameras, confirming that the prisoner transport never made it to Biko. This made Colonel Marmon Crowther of the 21st Space Assault Battalion even more suspicious of Lieutenant Commander Hector Nyeto, whose personnel made up the Emmeline's flight crew.

Attack on Zhoist

Main article: Attack on Zhoist

Prior to the Attack on Zhoist, the Black Widow was made the command ship of Sierra Force, a component of Task Force Yama. Blue Team was assigned to the ship. The Black Widow and the rest of Sierra Force would go on to attack Zhoist in the Agni System alongside Dagger Force.

Crew

• Lieutenant Esme Guayte
• Ensign Jones

List of appearances

• Halo: Silent Storm (First appearance)