Battle of October 10

The Battle of October 10, aptly named, was a short engagement between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant on October 10, 2552. It involved Battle Group Rhino of the UNSC Navy's Third Fleet and a single unidentified Covenant ship. On that date, Battle Group Rhino, a battle group in the Third Fleet, detected twelve unidentified large vessels in the Sol system broadcasting outdated civilian IFF codes. Upon approach, eleven of the vessels made unauthorized slipspace transits from the Sol system. Pursuant to standing orders to engage vessels not positively identified as friendly, Battle Group Rhino moved to engage the remaining ship. The was subsequently lost with all hands after reportedly suffering multiple hull breaches and boarding parties. The battle group, under the direction of Captain W. Murray, then disengaged and regrouped at Phase Line Alpha above Enceladus. Vice Admiral Williams, requested permission from Fleet Admiral Harper to attack the ship, but permission was denied.