Andesia

Andesia is a human colony planet, governed by the Unified Earth Government. The planet's capital is Noctus. Andesia is controlled by a mega-corporate council that is largely resented by the planet's residents. The colony is almost completely self-sufficient, wealthy, and highly populated. Illegal immigration to the planet is a problem, but the Unified Earth Government has tried to make becoming a legal resident easier than ever through the filing of form 32.

History
Andesia's exploration was funded by biotech associations looking to exploit the planet's rich ecosystem for life-extending pharmaceuticals and exotic foodstuffs. Colonization was followed by development of local medical research and ultra-tech industries in the capital city of Noctus and the research center in Promesa. In 2523, in response to the UEG's tightening grip on the human colonies and the excessive control taken by the mega-corporate council that served as the de facto planetary government, a rebellion broke out on the planet. The insurgency even reached the heavily defended facilities of AMG Transport Dynamics located in the capital city of Noctus. Insurrectionists established a stronghold on the planet. In response, the United Nations Space Command sent troops, including the 10th Shock Troops Battalion, to Andesia to eliminate the rebel presence.

During a firefight with Insurrectionists lasting for approximately seven hours, Ridge, a member of Cadmon Lasky's ODST squad was killed. Afterwards, Cadmon estimated that he must have killed a dozen of the Insurrectionists. Sometime later, Cadmon and the rest of his squad was killed in action on the planet. The fighting continued on the planet for nearly a decade, until the realization of the true threat of the Covenant caused Andesia's citizens to realign themselves with the UNSC and UEG to survive. The colony ultimately survived the Human-Covenant War, although tensions between the planet's citizens and the UNSC remained high. The UEG sees Andesia as a vital asset in its long-term plans for reunification and redevelopment of the human colonies. The planet's corporate and political hierarchy remains loyal to the UEG and periodic UNSC police actions kept violence from breaking out into full-scale civil war, but turf wars between insurgent factions and their criminal allies, corrupt law enforcement personnel, and Unified Earth Government peacekeepers ensured there would be no peace in major population centers. Spartan-IVs are trained in a War Games simulation based off of Noctus to prepare them for the eventual rise of insurgents on the planet, and to have them ready to secure strategic facilities when said insurrection occurs.

Prior to May 2553, Insurrection forces captured UEG diplomatic personnel on Andesia. The UNSC responded by sending the Spartan-II Fred-104 to rescue the diplomats and neutralize the Insurrection personnel as part of Operation: INSTINCT.

Behind the scenes

 * Andesia is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.
 * In Halo 5: Guardians, cut pieces of audio from Warzone found in the game's files contain various details about Andesia. One piece of audio would welcome players to the Andesian First Settlers' Monument, then inform players about the colony's history: colonized in 2450 by four ships from Earth—CAA Heavy Ground, Bridge's Church, Vienna Stinger, and Heartbreaker. Upon landing, the colonists took apart the ships to build their initial settlements. As the Andesian colony grew, the original components of these ships were thought to be lost, but AMG Transport Dynamics would later locate and restore the engines of these ships. Whether these audio pieces are canon is unknown.

List of appearances

 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 5: Guardians