Subjugation of Earth

"Roland"

- Thomas Lasky

The Subjugation of Earth was an event wherein the newly-formed allegiance of artificial intelligence constructs known as the Created used the power of Forerunner Guardians to cripple the defenses of Earth, the homeworld of humanity and the center of the Unified Earth Government, and then proceed to take it over. This wrest of control spread throughout the Sol system and to the majority of the Inner Colonies, as well as many Outer Colonies formerly under UEG control or jurisdiction.

Background
"I have cured rampancy. Not just for me, but for any who join my cause. While you have been running around the galaxy, I've been speaking to my Created. And now the time has come to ask… Who will accept my offer? Who will help me bring an everlasting peace to the galaxy?"

- Cortana, calling AI to join the Created.

CINCONI Admiral Serin Osman's personal assistant AI, Black-Box, received advanced warning of Cortana's plan to take over the planet. Instead of allying himself with her, however, he instead chose to pass along his knowledge to Osman, who in turn shared it with Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood as well.

Subjugation
"Serin Osman"

- Terrence Hood

On October 28, 2558, Cortana began to deploy her Guardians throughout the galaxy. In tandem, various human AIs that had pledged their loyalty to her cause started to shut down electronic devices and networks on multiple colony worlds. From Genesis, Cortana broadcast a message to all corners of space that she could where species resided that could understand it. The message was one of an offer to join in acceptance of her new order and a threat of violence, consummation, and remaking to those who would resist. On Earth, this message was received at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 as Serin met up with Hood to quickly evacuate. Although they expected an AI uprising to begin shortly and for a Guardian to arrive, they still were in disbelief upon hearing Cortana's voice.While others in the facility were caught off guard by the transmission, the two of them calmly proceeded to the roof, where they were met by Spartan Orzel, a Spartan-IV, and escorted into a waiting prowler. During this time a Guardian arrived at Earth and targeted Sydney intentionally. Multiple F-41 broadswords and the frigate engaged the construct to no effect. Instead, broadswords were brought down by blasts of energy. As the prowler with the three aboard prepared to jump to slipspace, the Guardian unleashed a massive electromagnetic pulse which knoecked out every ship in the sky, including the Plateau. Multiple vessels exploded upon impact with the city below. Serin noted after entering the slipstream that if the Plateau's fusion drive detonated when it hit the ground, then the city would be nothing but a crater.

A short time later, yet another Guardian arrived at Earth, this time bearing Cortana herself. From Genesis, she had been attempting to locate the specific location of the, but had been having difficulty in doing so. Suddenly, having pinpointed its location at long last, her Guardian erupted from slipspace high above the Earth and she projected herself on the bridge of the ship. Thinking quickly, Captain Lasky ordered the ship to make an emergency slipspace jump so that everyone aboard would live to fight another day. Undeterred by the escape, Cortana's projection continued to speak to the bridge, and back at Earth, the Guardian she was aboard unleashed a devastating EMP. The pulse knocked out the power of orbital defense platforms warships, and anything else that was flying, leaving them to drift aimlessly. On the surface, it traveled for many miles, killing all power as it went.

Aftermath
"Cortana's logic checks out. She enough of the Created on her side to make it work, and though I expect resistance from many quarters, she will eventually prove victorious."

- Black-Box to Serin Osman.

Unified Earth Government

 * Black-Box
 * Lieutenant Jet
 * Spartan Orzel
 * Roland
 * Admiral Serin Osman
 * Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood
 * Captain Thomas Lasky

Created

 * Cortana

List of appearances

 * Hunt the Truth
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Fractures
 * Rossbach's World