Kilo 023

"She's a little cooked, Sergeant Major... But she'll hold."

- Hocus to Johnson during the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 00. Kilo 023 was a United Nations Space Command D77H-TCI Pelican dropship stationed on Earth. Kilo 023 ' s pilot was Hocus. In November 2552, the ship was operating out of the UNSC military base codenamed Crow's Nest in Kenya, but later relocated to the during the Battle of Voi.

Battle of Earth
Following John-117's return to Earth on November 17, 2552, Kilo 023 was responsible for extracting him, Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and Sergeant Johnson from the A2 Hydroelectric Facility in the Tanzanian jungle. Hocus used the dropship's missiles to destroy two Covenant Phantoms in the process. Shortly after their return to Crow's Nest, the base was attacked by the Covenant. Kilo 023's escape with wounded soldiers was delayed by a unit of Jiralhanae Jumpers until the Master Chief arrived to fight them off. After the base's evacuation, Commander Miranda Keyes briefly took command of the Pelican to coordinate offensive efforts around Voi.

Expedition to the Ark
Kilo 023 was among the Pelicans aboard the when the frigate traveled through the Portal to Installation 00. Kilo 023, with Johnson, the Master Chief and several ODSTs aboard, successfully landed on the Ark. The ship served as backup while the Marines attempted to locate the Ark's Cartographer, though Hocus was able to spot it herself. Kilo 023 dropped off 'Vadam at the entrance to the Cartographer to assist the Chief and later picked them up once they determined Truth's location.

Kilo 023 joined the strike force of Pelicans and Sangheili Phantoms sent to lower the Citadel's protective shield. Encountering heavy AA flak near the shoreline, Kilo 023's wing man was shot down, killing its crew and taking Kilo 023 ' s Warthog with it, though Kilo 023 itself landed safely, later assisting the Master Chief as he made his way to the last barrier tower. It is unknown whether she participated in the final assault on the Citadel itself.

Crew

 * Lieutenant Hocus - Pilot.
 * Sergeant Major Avery Johnson - Door gunner and occasional co-pilot.
 * Commander Miranda Keyes (temporary) - Co-pilot during the Crow's Nest evacuation.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3