Battle of Beta Eridani

The Battle of Beta Eridani was an engagement in the Human-Covenant War between the Covenant and the United Nations Space Command in the Beta Eridani system, shortly before the summer of 2552.

Background
Rho 'Barutamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence, was charged with locating Forerunner artifacts for the Covenant Ministry of Fervent Intercession. To assist in his duties, Covenant leadership granted 'Barutamee the use of a powerful Luminary to aid in his searches. Shortly before the summer of 2552, the fleet's Luminary detected Forerunner relics located in the human-occupied Beta Eridani system. To collect the Forerunner artifacts, the Fleet of Valiant Prudence set course for the Beta Eridani system.

Meanwhile, the humans within the system were unaware of the existence of the Forerunner artifacts in the Beta Eridani system. The system was home to the Beta Eridani Naval Training Range, a training facility used by the UNSC Navy to test the capabilities of cadets on warships within the system.

Battle
When the Fleet of Valiant Prudence arrived in the system, their presence was quickly discovered by Lieutenant Robinson as ten Covenant ships of the fleet were approaching quickly. Although the ensuing battle would likely have been an even fight on most occasions, all warships of the UNSC Navy in the Beta Eridani system, including a group of one and, and another group of  trio of s, were crewed with cadets. With no other viable option, Robinson ordered all forces in the system to flee.

During the battle, several Forerunner artifacts were recovered and brought to Supreme Commander Rho 'Barutamee aboard his flagship, Long Night of Solace. 'Barutamee had the artifacts "processed" through the Luminary and discovered that the relics pointed to another system. To prevent the UNSC forces in the system from following him to his next destination, 'Barutamee ordered the destruction of all remaining human forces in Beta Eridani. By this time, Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth took part of the battle of Beta Eridani and had led at least two battle groups against at least one portion of the Covenant fleet, with one comprised of a and trio of s, and the other comprised of 4 Paris-class frigates.

Aftermath
Sometime after the battle, the Fleet of Valiant Prudence traveled to the system pinpointed by the Luminary: the Epsilon Eridani system. Unbeknownst to Supreme Commander Rho 'Barutamee, the system was home to major strongholds of the United Nations Space Command, including Reach. 'Barutamee initiated the invasion of Reach, which ultimately led to the planet's fall on August 30, 2552, though 'Barutamee was presumably killed and most of his fleet was destroyed on August 14, 2552.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Fleet Battles