Halo: Escalation Issue 1

Halo: Escalation Issue 1 was released on December 11, 2013 and is the first comic in the Halo: Escalation series.

Plot synopsis
Issue #1 opens with Commander Sarah Palmer and Fireteam Jackknife inside the 's training simulation deck. Their War Games session is interrupted by Captain Thomas Lasky who asks to speak with Commander Palmer. Lasky informs her that they have been requested to appear before the UNSC Security Council at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6. At the hearing, the council expresses misgiving about Lasky's handling of the Requiem Campaign. Admiral Serin Osman berates Lasky over the complete destruction of Requiem and the failed assassination of Dr. Catherine Halsey. Osman then asks Palmer if Lasky had sent Fireteam Majestic to stop her from eliminating Halsey. Wanting to protect Lasky from any ramifications, Palmer lies and tells Osman that Majestic was there as backup.

Shortly after, Admiral Hood arrives onboard Infinity to speak with Lasky. He tells Lasky that the is assigned to pursue Jul 'Mdama as he needs Infinity to aid in peace talks between the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae. Two days later, Infinity arrives at Ealen IV. Lord Hood meets with the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, and the Brute Chieftain Lydus. Lasky, Palmer and Jackknife join the delegates inside the plasma center as Paul DeMarco of Majestic and Fireteam Bailey act as overwatch. The delegation is caught off guard when Covenant mercenaries blast into the conference chamber. The Spartan IVs defend the delegation and escort them to a nearby parts depot when their evacuation shuttle is destroyed. With communications with their orbiting fleets blocked, the delegation are left without reinforcements.

Trivia

 * Requiem's parent star Epoloch is depicted as disproportionately small, only slightly larger than the shield world.
 * Kig-Yar are seen with four fingers instead of three in various panels.