Gold

Gold (pronounced /ˈɡoʊld/) is a chemical element with the symbol Au (Latin: aurum) and an atomic number of 79. It has been a highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since the beginning of recorded history. In modern times gold is often found as a key component in critical electronics such as those found on air and spacecraft.

Due to its preciousness to Humans, in 2552 a group of ODSTs plotted to steal a large amount of gold bullion from a bank while on a mission in a Covenant-occupied city. Their plan was scuttled however when they discovered a class of schoolchildren and their teacher hiding in the vault. An argument erupted amongst the ODSTs over whether or not the children could allowed to live. The ODSTs turned on one another and several were killed in a point-blank shootout. The children fled while an ODST took the gold, several Forerunner relics, and a nuclear device, lured in the Covenant and the traitorous ODSTs, and detonated the nuke, destroying it all. The entire operation would be halted after receiving word of the Covenant attack on Earth. The UNSC ships were then forced to pull out.