4,641
edits
Battle for Earth: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
|prev = [[Battle of October 10]] | |prev = [[Battle of October 10]] | ||
|conc = *[[Battle of Installation 05]] | |conc = *[[Battle of Installation 05]] | ||
*[[Fall of High Charity]] | **[[Fall of High Charity]] | ||
*[[Onyx Conflict]] | *[[Onyx Conflict]] | ||
*[[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]] | *[[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]] | ||
*[[Skirmish on Mona Lisa]] | *[[Skirmish on Mona Lisa]] | ||
|next = *[[Battle of Installation 00]] | |||
|next = [[Battle of Installation 00]] | *[[Operation: SUNSPEAR]] | ||
|conflict = *[[Human-Covenant War]] | |conflict = *[[Human-Covenant War]] | ||
**[[Siege of the Inner Colonies]] | **[[Siege of the Inner Colonies]] | ||
*[[Great Schism]] | *[[Great Schism]] | ||
|date = [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]]{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989|Site=bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update 01/23/09}}<ref name="lootcrate2"/> - not prior to [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]<ref name="lootcrate2"/> | |date = [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]]{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989|Site=bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update 01/23/09}}<ref name="lootcrate2"/> - not prior to [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]<ref group="note" name="battleend">While no official date has been given to the end of the Battle for Earth, the currently last known engagement during the battle, the [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]] in [[Arizona]], took place on December 3, although it's still possible that other engagements on other was still occuring after the [[URNA Southwest Campaign]] ended.</ref><ref name="lootcrate2"/> | ||
|place = *[[Sol system]] | |place = *[[Sol system]] | ||
**[[Earth]] | **[[Earth]] | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
**[[Civilian]] militias | **[[Civilian]] militias | ||
***[[Spartan 1.1 faction]] | ***[[Spartan 1.1 faction]] | ||
---- | |||
{{c|Post-Great Schism}} | |||
*{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant separatists]] | *{{Icon|Covenant FB}} [[Covenant separatists]] | ||
**[[Fleet of Retribution]] {{C|from [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]] onwards}} | **[[Fleet of Retribution]] {{C|from [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]] onwards}} | ||
| Line 87: | Line 89: | ||
---- | ---- | ||
{{c|Post-Great Schism}} | {{c|Post-Great Schism}} | ||
*[[Truth's fleet]] | *[[Truth's fleet]]s | ||
**''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' | **''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' | ||
**''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' | **''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' | ||
| Line 93: | Line 95: | ||
***''[[Gathering of Praise]]''<ref name="HLC5"/> | ***''[[Gathering of Praise]]''<ref name="HLC5"/> | ||
***''[[Twilight Compunction]]''<ref name="HLC5"/> | ***''[[Twilight Compunction]]''<ref name="HLC5"/> | ||
*[[Fleet of Furious Redemption]] | **[[Fleet of Furious Redemption]] | ||
**''[[Triumphant Declaration]]''<ref name="up1">''Halo: Uprising'', Issue 1</ref> | ***''[[Triumphant Declaration]]''<ref name="up1">''Halo: Uprising'', Issue 1</ref> | ||
|forces3 =*1 {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} | |forces3 =*1 {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} | ||
**''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' | **''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' | ||
*Several [[infection forms]], [[combat forms]], [[carrier forms]] and [[pure forms]]. | *Several [[infection forms]], [[combat forms]], [[carrier forms]] and [[pure forms]]. | ||
|casual1 = *Heavy UEG losses; moderate Fleet of Retribution casualties<ref name="H3CN"/> | |casual1 = *Heavy UEG losses; moderate Fleet of Retribution casualties<ref name="H3CN"/> | ||
**At least 2 | **At least 2 {{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}}s | ||
**Majority of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] | **Majority of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] | ||
**Civilian losses in the billions{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=6}} | **Civilian losses in the billions{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=6}} | ||
| Line 109: | Line 111: | ||
{{Quote|We ran from them. They followed. We thought they'd never find us... we were wrong.|[[Cortana]]<ref>''[[Halo 2 commercial]]''</ref>}} | {{Quote|We ran from them. They followed. We thought they'd never find us... we were wrong.|[[Cortana]]<ref>''[[Halo 2 commercial]]''</ref>}} | ||
The '''Battle for Earth''', also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',<ref name="lootcrate2"/> was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long<ref group="note">The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.</ref> [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to not before [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]]. It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].<ref group="note">While not all of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.</ref> | The '''Battle for Earth''', also referred to as the '''Earth Sustained Defense Campaign''',<ref name="lootcrate2"/> was one of the largest, bloodiest and latest engagements fought between the [[Covenant]] and the forces of the [[Unified Earth Government]] (primarily those of the [[United Nations Space Command]]), at the end of the approximately twenty-seven year-long<ref group="note">The war was definitely concluded on December 11, 2552 when the Prophet of Truth was killed. However, an official cessation of hostilities did not come until March 3, 2553.</ref> [[Human-Covenant War]], which took place on and above the planet [[Earth]] from [[2552#October|October 20]] to not before [[2552#December|December 3, 2552]].<ref group="note" name="battleend"/> It was one of the most important battles of the war, as the fate of humanity depended on the survival of its homeworld and seat of its [[UEG|government]].<ref group="note">While [[Insurrectionist|not all]] of humanity believes itself to be subject to the UEG, the UEG claims authority over all of humanity.</ref> | ||
Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.<ref name="HSA">''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'', co-op introductory cutscene</ref> The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as humanity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the UNSC Home Fleet, it was not long before Regret's flagship fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to replace [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. | Though the invasion took place on a global scale, the most significant conflicts occurred in the [[East African Protectorate]] in the form of three battles fought within and between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]], collectively referred to as the [[First Battle of Mombasa|first]], [[Second Battle of Mombasa|second]], and [[Battle of Voi|third]] battles of Mombasa.<ref name="HSA">''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'', co-op introductory cutscene</ref> The conflict began when the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under the command of the [[Prophet of Regret]], arrived on October 20 with intentions of traveling through the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] that a [[luminary]] in its possession pointed to. This move was made without the consent of the other two [[Hierarchs]] and in ignorance regarding the status of this planet as humanity's homeworld. Faced with the full might of the UNSC Home Fleet, it was not long before Regret's flagship fled to [[Installation 05]]. Soon after this, the Prophet of Truth initiated his plans to replace [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]] and assume control over the entirety of the hierarchal triumvirate. Additional [[Truth's Fleet|fleets]], led by Jiralhanae, appeared in the system and quickly assumed control of all local Covenant forces by [[Great Schism|killing all Sangheili]]. | ||
At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations. By November 17, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated. It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the Covenant fleet departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. Almost immediately after this, the [[Flood]] arrived aboard a [[Indulgence of Conviction|captured]] {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}, which crashed down in the town of [[Voi]]. The [[Fleet of Retribution]], allied with the UNSC against Truth, was permitted to [[glass]] a large portion of [[Africa]] to prevent the parasite's spread. With the threat from the Flood dealt with and the bulk of Covenant forces gone, at least one UNSC frigate accompanied the Fleet of Retribution in pursuit of Truth. The remainder of UNSC forces remained behind to defend Earth from an expected full-scale Flood invasion and also began a major counteroffensive to eliminate all Covenant that remained.<ref name="lootcrate2"/> | At this point, the fight for Earth began in earnest. Smaller battles were waged all across the world, from the UEG capital of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], to [[Cleveland]], [[URNA]], to [[Havana]], Cuba, and to [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]] and multiple other locations. By November 17, most of the Home Fleet had been obliterated. It was on this date that the Prophet of Truth himself, aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought and with [[John-117|Spartan-117]] in tow, arrived and headed straight for the [[Portal at Voi|Excession]], by then fully excavated. Upon interfacing with the [[keyship]], the portal was activated and a large contingent of the Covenant fleet departed through the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] with the intention of activating the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. Almost immediately after this, the [[Flood]] arrived aboard a [[Indulgence of Conviction|captured]] {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}, which crashed down in the town of [[Voi]]. The [[Fleet of Retribution]], allied with the UNSC against Truth, was permitted to [[glass]] a large portion of [[Africa]] to prevent the parasite's spread. With the threat from the Flood dealt with and the bulk of Covenant forces gone, at least one UNSC frigate accompanied the Fleet of Retribution in pursuit of Truth. The remainder of UNSC forces remained behind to defend Earth from an expected full-scale Flood invasion and also began a major counteroffensive to eliminate all Covenant that remained.<ref name="lootcrate2"/> | ||
| Line 152: | Line 154: | ||
In orbit the Home Fleet [[Operation: BUMRUSH|began deploying]] ODSTs to [[Mombasa]] in [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIVs]], intending to board the the carrier and capture the Prophet of Regret. One Squad, [[Alpha-Nine]], deploying from the {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} and led by Gunnery Sergeant [[Edward Buck]], was diverted by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]].<ref name="H3RDrop">''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', campaign level, [[Prepare To Drop]]</ref> | In orbit the Home Fleet [[Operation: BUMRUSH|began deploying]] ODSTs to [[Mombasa]] in [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIVs]], intending to board the the carrier and capture the Prophet of Regret. One Squad, [[Alpha-Nine]], deploying from the {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} and led by Gunnery Sergeant [[Edward Buck]], was diverted by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]].<ref name="H3RDrop">''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', campaign level, [[Prepare To Drop]]</ref> | ||
Regret's means of escape took the UNSC by surprise. The carrier initiated a slipspace jump while still over the city. The UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' quickly recovered John-117 and followed in the fleeing ship's [[slipstream space#Slipspace Wake|wake]]. The slipspace rupture severely damaged the city<ref name="H2Metro"/> and generated an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]]. Many ODSTs had not yet landed when the carrier escaped and were caught in the EMP and blast. Drop pods were disabled in flight and plunged into uncontrolled freefall. Those who survived the blast were scattered across the city.<ref name="H3RDrop"/> | Regret's means of escape took the UNSC by surprise. The carrier initiated a slipspace jump while still over the city. The UNSC ''In Amber Clad'' quickly recovered John-117 and the light frigate along with {{UNSCShip|Paris}}, {{UNSCShip|Coral Sea}} and {{UNSCShip|Dusk}} followed in the fleeing ship's [[slipstream space#Slipspace Wake|wake]]. The slipspace rupture severely damaged the city<ref name="H2Metro"/> and generated an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]]. Many ODSTs had not yet landed when the carrier escaped and were caught in the EMP and blast. Drop pods were disabled in flight and plunged into uncontrolled freefall. Those who survived the blast were scattered across the city.<ref name="H3RDrop"/> | ||
[[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|right|250px|The Covenant occupation fleet uncovering the Portal at [[New Mombasa]].]] | [[File:Portal odst.png|thumb|right|250px|The Covenant occupation fleet uncovering the Portal at [[New Mombasa]].]] | ||
Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political Rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=Eight}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders both ground-side,<ref name="H3RTayari">''Halo 3: ODST'', campaign level, [[Tayari Plaza]]</ref> and in orbit, the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.<ref name="waypoint"/> | Immediately following the slipspace event, [[Jiralhanae]] forces loyal to the [[High Prophet of Truth]], who had embedded said troops into his political Rival Regret's fleet,{{Ref/Novel|[[Halo: New Blood]]|Chapter=Eight}} enacted their leader's orders. The Jiralhanae violently displaced their Sangheili commanders both ground-side,<ref name="H3RTayari">''Halo 3: ODST'', campaign level, [[Tayari Plaza]]</ref> and in orbit, the beginning of Truth's plan to place the Jiralhanae as the Covenant's primary warrior race.<ref name="waypoint"/> [[Truth's fleet|Multiple additional Jiralhanae led-Covenant ships]] sent by Truth also began to arrive in the Sol System, joining the remains of Regret's fleet in the assault upon Earth. | ||
Surviving UNSC forces in the city, aided by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]], continued to resist, but were eventually overwhelmed. The Covenant began glassing [[Mombasa]] and the surrounding area, uncovering [[the Portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]]. Captain Dare and her [[Alpha-Nine|ODST squad]] managed to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]] and escape before the city fell to the enemy.<ref name="H3RCoast">''Halo 3: ODST'', campaign level, [[Coastal Highway]]</ref> | Surviving UNSC forces in the city, aided by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]], continued to resist, but were eventually overwhelmed. The Covenant began glassing [[Mombasa]] and the surrounding area, uncovering [[the Portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]]. Captain Dare and her [[Alpha-Nine|ODST squad]] managed to secure the city's [[Superintendent|infrastructure AI]] and escape before the city fell to the enemy.<ref name="H3RCoast">''Halo 3: ODST'', campaign level, [[Coastal Highway]]</ref> | ||
| Line 163: | Line 165: | ||
===Covenant occupation=== | ===Covenant occupation=== | ||
[[File:HLC battle for earth.png|thumb|left|250px|UNSC forces engage the Covenant forces led by a [[CRS-class light cruiser|cruiser]].<ref name=SC2>''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', Series 1</ref>]] | [[File:HLC battle for earth.png|thumb|left|250px|UNSC forces engage the Covenant forces led by a [[CRS-class light cruiser|cruiser]].<ref name=SC2>''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', Series 1</ref>]] | ||
The battle spread over the globe in the following weeks. The diminishing [[UNSC Home Fleet]], in conjunction with the [[Second Fleet|Second]], [[Seventh Fleet|Seventh]], and [[Sixteenth Fleet]]s,<ref name="goo204">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 204-205</ref> remained to contest Earth orbit, but the Covenant continued to raid the surface in search of [[Forerunner]] artifacts, mostly concentrating in east Africa.<ref name="H3CN">''[[Halo 3]]'', campaign level, [[Crow's Nest]]</ref> | The battle spread over the globe in the following weeks. The diminishing [[UNSC Home Fleet]], in conjunction with the [[Second Fleet|Second]], [[Seventh Fleet|Seventh]], and [[Sixteenth Fleet]]s,<ref name="goo204">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 204-205</ref> remained to contest Earth orbit against numerous arriving Covenant vessels, but the Covenant continued to raid the surface in search of [[Forerunner]] artifacts, mostly concentrating in east Africa.<ref name="H3CN">''[[Halo 3]]'', campaign level, [[Crow's Nest]]</ref> | ||
A [[Second Battle of New Mombasa]] would take place over seven days<ref name="JC">''Xbox.com'': Jake Courage (defunct, [https://archives.halopedia.org/halo3/jakecourage/ Archived])</ref> before the end of October.<ref>''[[Believe]]'', [[Museum]]</ref> | A [[Second Battle of New Mombasa]] would take place over seven days<ref name="JC">''Xbox.com'': Jake Courage (defunct, [https://archives.halopedia.org/halo3/jakecourage/ Archived])</ref> before the end of October.<ref>''[[Believe]]'', [[Museum]]</ref> | ||
The [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[Blue Team]], consisting of [[Frederic-104]], [[Linda-058]], and [[William-043]], were constantly engaged for the first two weeks. They repelled enemy ships in orbit in numerous zero-gee operations whilst on the surface they neutralized Covenant excavations, first on [[Ross Island]] in [[Antarctica]],<ref name="goo204"/> and then underwater off the [[Yucatan Peninsula]]. On [[2552#November|November 3]], they were [[Battle of Havana|deployed to Havana, Cuba]], where they stole the enemy [[ | The [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[Blue Team]], consisting of [[Frederic-104]], [[Linda-058]], and [[William-043]], were constantly engaged for the first two weeks. They repelled enemy ships in orbit in numerous zero-gee operations whilst on the surface they neutralized Covenant excavations, first on [[Ross Island]] in [[Antarctica]],<ref name="goo204"/> and then underwater off the [[Yucatan Peninsula]]. On [[2552#November|November 3]], they were [[Battle of Havana|deployed to Havana, Cuba]], where they stole the enemy [[CPV-class heavy destroyer|destroyer]] ''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'', and destroyed another destroyer and the [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]]. They subsequently redeployed aboard the stolen ship to the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Onyx]] to aid [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], the creator of the SPARTAN-II program.<ref name="goop.220">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 220</ref> | ||
The UNSC's loss of their garrison on [[Mars]] following the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]] led to a dramatic increase in Covenant force deployments on Earth.<ref>''Halo: Uprising'', [[Halo: Uprising Issue 3|Issue 3]]</ref> Shortly after the loss of Mars, Covenant also [[Battle of Cleveland|invaded the city]] of [[Cleveland]] on Earth, looking for an artifact known as the "[[Key of Osanalan]]". The Key turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]]; this attack was ultimately repelled due to the Colonel's act of self-sacrifice, and that of his civilian brother, [[Ruwan Ackerson|Ruwan]].<ref>''Halo: Uprising'', [[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|Issue 4]]</ref> | The UNSC's loss of their garrison on [[Mars]] following the [[Battle of Mare Erythraeum]] led to a dramatic increase in Covenant force deployments on Earth, worsening the attack on the planet.<ref>''Halo: Uprising'', [[Halo: Uprising Issue 3|Issue 3]]</ref> Shortly after the loss of Mars, Covenant also [[Battle of Cleveland|invaded the city]] of [[Cleveland]] on Earth, looking for an artifact known as the "[[Key of Osanalan]]". The Key turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Colonel [[James Ackerson]]; this attack was ultimately repelled due to the Colonel's act of self-sacrifice, and that of his civilian brother, [[Ruwan Ackerson|Ruwan]].<ref>''Halo: Uprising'', [[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|Issue 4]]</ref> Though the Martian valiant defense forces were eventually crushed, they are credited for delaying Covenant forces from pressing their siege on Earth.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/mars ''Halo Waypoint'': Mars]</ref> | ||
[[File:Cleveland in 2552.PNG|thumb|right|250px|Covenant forces invade Cleveland.]] | [[File:Cleveland in 2552.PNG|thumb|right|250px|Covenant forces invade Cleveland.]] | ||
| Line 178: | Line 180: | ||
On [[2552#November|November 10]], Covenant forces began to excavate and occupy built-up positions centered around [[Free-fire Area OZONE]] in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]].<ref name="lootcrate2">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]</ref> | On [[2552#November|November 10]], Covenant forces began to excavate and occupy built-up positions centered around [[Free-fire Area OZONE]] in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]].<ref name="lootcrate2">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]</ref> | ||
Whilst on [[Installation 05]], [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]], [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] learned of the Prophet of Truth's intentions and departed the installation after the Dreadnought while [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and the Sangheili under his command stayed behind on Installation 05 in order to quarantine and glass the Halo ring as well as quarantine High Charity in order to stop the escape of [[the Flood]] and the Gravemind from both the Halo and the city. Upon arrival at Earth on or just before November 15,<ref name="lootcrate2"/> they took up station in an old military base, [[Crow's Nest]], near Voi, and waited for John-117 to arrive.<ref name="H3CN"/><ref group="note">The Sangheili vessel carrying the Arbiter and the survivors of ''In Amber Clad'' arrived at Earth at least two days before Truth's Keyship, despite the latter leaving Delta Halo's orbit well ahead of the former. While this may appear strange given that Forerunner slipspace travel can vastly outpace that of the Covenant, the apparent discrepancy is explained by the Keyship exiting slipspace in the outer edges of the Sol system on November 8 and not landing on Earth until November 17. The reason behind this delay was that the Covenant soldiers inside the Keyship focused on killing John instead of proceeding, as they feared he would kill the Prophet of Truth.</ref> | Whilst on [[Installation 05]], [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]], [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] learned of the Prophet of Truth's intentions and departed the installation after the Dreadnought while [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and the Sangheili under his command stayed behind on Installation 05 in order to quarantine and glass the Halo ring as well as quarantine High Charity in order to stop the escape of [[the Flood]] and the Gravemind from both the Halo and the city. Upon arrival at Earth on or just before November 15 with a Seperatist vessel,<ref name="lootcrate2"/> they took up station in an old military base, [[Crow's Nest]], near Voi, and waited for John-117 to arrive.<ref name="H3CN"/><ref group="note">The Sangheili vessel carrying the Arbiter and the survivors of ''In Amber Clad'' arrived at Earth at least two days before Truth's Keyship, despite the latter leaving Delta Halo's orbit well ahead of the former. While this may appear strange given that Forerunner slipspace travel can vastly outpace that of the Covenant, the apparent discrepancy is explained by the Keyship exiting slipspace in the outer edges of the Sol system on November 8 and not landing on Earth until November 17. The reason behind this delay was that the Covenant soldiers inside the Keyship focused on killing John instead of proceeding, as they feared he would kill the Prophet of Truth.</ref> | ||
[[File: | [[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg|300px|thumb|right|John-117 and the Dreadnought entering Earth's atmosphere.]] | ||
===The Keyship arrives=== | ===The Keyship arrives=== | ||
{{Main|Battle of Kenya}} | {{Main|Battle of Kenya}} | ||
{{Quote|no=two|1=Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?|2=Master Chief|q2=Sir, finishing this fight.|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117, as the Keyship arrived at Earth.}} | {{Quote|no=two|1=Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood|q1=Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?|2=Master Chief|q2=Sir, finishing this fight.|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and John-117, as the Keyship arrived at Earth.}} | ||
The Forerunner Dreadnought arrived at Earth on November 17, spearheading the final contingent of Truth's forces. The | The Forerunner Dreadnought arrived at Earth on November 17, spearheading the final contingent of Truth's forces. The remaining loyalist naval forces of the [[High Charity defense fleet]] breached the Lunar perimeter, utterly demolishing the remnants of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] at the cost of most of the overwelming Covenant fleet. The subsequent bombardment caused "extreme" casualties.<ref name="H3CN"/> As the Dreadnought entered Earth's atmosphere, John-117 left the ship by leaping off during re-entry and crashing into the [[East African Protectorate|East-African]] jungle.{{Ref/Comic|Halo: Uprising}}<ref name="H3S117">''Halo 3'', campaign level, [[Sierra 117]]</ref> By this time the Covenant had set up heavy [[Type-27 Mantis|AA batteries]] and other defenses near [[Voi]] and in the surrounding area to protect their work at the Portal.<ref name="H3CN"/> | ||
During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|a battle]] in [[Sector Six]] to track the Spartan's fall.<ref>[[Halo: Landfall]]</ref> The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].<ref name="H3S117"/> The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].<ref name="H3CN"/> | During Spartan-117's re-entry, a pair of ODSTs used a [[laser designator]] during [[Battle of Sector Six|a battle]] in [[Sector Six]] on [[Pakistan]] and [[wikipedia:Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] to track the Spartan's fall.<ref>[[Halo: Landfall]]</ref> The data made it easier for Sergeant Johnson and Thel 'Vadam to locate the Spartan. After [[Recovery of John-117|making their way through the jungle]], they were extracted by a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|dropship]], despite Covenant resistance, and taken to [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]].<ref name="H3S117"/> The Covenant tracked them back to the base, however, and [[Attack on Crow's Nest|launched an attack]].<ref name="H3CN"/> | ||
Commander Keyes proposed to destroy the Covenant anti-air defenses at [[Voi]], allowing low flying [[Charon-class light frigate|frigates]] to strike the Forerunner Dreadnought now landed on the Portal. [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] had only a few frigates left, but was willing to commit to the risky plan with [[John-117]]'s recovery.<ref name="H3CN"/> | Commander Keyes proposed to destroy the Covenant anti-air defenses at [[Voi]], allowing low flying [[Charon-class light frigate|frigates]] to strike the Forerunner Dreadnought now landed on the Portal. [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] had only a few frigates left, but was willing to commit to the risky plan with [[John-117]]'s recovery.<ref name="H3CN"/> | ||
| Line 194: | Line 196: | ||
Just before the UNSC offensive began, the Covenant attacked Crow's Nest. Miranda Keyes evacuated and destroyed the base with a [[Improvised UNSC bomb|bomb]] before it could be occupied. John-117 barely managed to escape the destruction of the facility but met up with [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Reynolds]] and set out in [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthogs]] on [[Tsavo highway (location)|Tsavo Highway]] to head for [[Voi]], as did scattered UNSC forces, [[Assault on the Tsavo Highway|engaging]] Covenant heavy vehicles along the way.<ref name="H3CN"/><ref name="H3Tsavo">''Halo 3'', campaign level, [[Tsavo Highway]]</ref> | Just before the UNSC offensive began, the Covenant attacked Crow's Nest. Miranda Keyes evacuated and destroyed the base with a [[Improvised UNSC bomb|bomb]] before it could be occupied. John-117 barely managed to escape the destruction of the facility but met up with [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Reynolds]] and set out in [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthogs]] on [[Tsavo highway (location)|Tsavo Highway]] to head for [[Voi]], as did scattered UNSC forces, [[Assault on the Tsavo Highway|engaging]] Covenant heavy vehicles along the way.<ref name="H3CN"/><ref name="H3Tsavo">''Halo 3'', campaign level, [[Tsavo Highway]]</ref> | ||
At Voi, the UNSC broke through Covenant defenses, as John-117 and [[Thel 'Vadam]] disabled a Covenant AA battery. With the path to the Portal cleared, Fleet Admiral Hood ordered | At Voi, the UNSC broke through Covenant defenses, as John-117 and [[Thel 'Vadam]] disabled a Covenant AA battery. With the path to the Portal cleared, Fleet Admiral Hood ordered [[Battle Group Victory|at least seven frigates]] and multiple [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]] to attack the Forerunner Dreadnought. Despite [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] fire, the enemy ship remained intact and was able to activate the Portal. The Dreadnought and the surrounding Covenant ships departed Earth through the resulting Slipspace portal.<ref name="H3Storm">''Halo 3'', campaign level, [[The Storm]]</ref> Covenant battlenet cohesion broke following Truth's departure, allowing UNSC forces in the southwest URNA to begin a major counteroffensive as part of their [[URNA Southwest Campaign|ongoing campaign]].<ref name="lootcrate2"/> {{clear|left}} | ||
===The Flood on Earth=== | ===The Flood on Earth=== | ||
| Line 203: | Line 205: | ||
[[File:H3 Floodgate ODST Concept.jpg|thumb|250px|right|UNSC forces engage the Flood]] | [[File:H3 Floodgate ODST Concept.jpg|thumb|250px|right|UNSC forces engage the Flood]] | ||
[[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] | [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili ships]], led by [[Fleet Master]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] aboard the [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', arrived in pursuit of the Flood. The Sangheili believed [[Cortana]] was aboard the Flood ship; Rtas 'Vadum could give his own troops and the UNSC only a little time to recover the AI before Voi and the surrounding area were cleansed by [[glassing]]. John-117 found the small storage device containing the AI; he entrusted to [[343 Guilty Spark]] for repairs and they were extracted by [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]] to ''Shadow of Intent''.<ref name="H3Flood"/> | ||
Thel 'Vadam convinced Rtas 'Vadum to exercise restraint when glassing. Thus, only an area of Africa was glassed instead of a much wider area.<ref name="H3Flood"/> | Thel 'Vadam convinced Rtas 'Vadum to exercise restraint when glassing. Thus, only an area of Africa was glassed instead of a much wider area.<ref name="H3Flood"/> | ||
| Line 211: | Line 213: | ||
===Mopping up remaining Covenant forces=== | ===Mopping up remaining Covenant forces=== | ||
{{Main|URNA Southwest Campaign}} | {{Main|URNA Southwest Campaign}} | ||
{{Quote|no=two|1=Terrence Hood|q1=And you, Shipmaster, just glassed half a continent! Maybe the Flood isn't all I should be worried about.|2=Rtas 'Vadum|q2=One single Flood spore can destroy a species. Were it not for the Arbiter's counsel, I would have glassed your entire '''planet'''!|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and Rtas 'Vadum, after the Flood infection of Voi.}} | {{Quote|no=two|1=Terrence Hood|q1=And you, Shipmaster, just glassed half a [[Africa|continent]]! Maybe the Flood isn't all I should be worried about.|2=Rtas 'Vadum|q2=One single [[Flood spore]] can destroy a species. Were it not for the Arbiter's counsel, I would have glassed your entire '''planet'''!|3=Admiral Terrence Hood and Rtas 'Vadum, after the Flood infection of Voi.}} | ||
Admiral Hood and Commander Keyes joined John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and Rtas 'Vadum aboard ''Shadow of Intent'' where 343 Guilty Spark repaired Cortana's damaged storage device. The device contained only a message from the AI; it warned them that the Flood-infested ''High Charity'' was en route to Earth, but that beyond the Portal there was a solution to the Flood without firing the [[Halo Array]].<ref name="H3Flood"/> | Admiral Hood and Commander Keyes joined John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and Rtas 'Vadum aboard ''Shadow of Intent'' where 343 Guilty Spark repaired Cortana's damaged storage device. The device contained only a message from the AI; it warned them that the Flood-infested ''High Charity'' was en route to Earth, but that beyond the Portal there was a [[Installation 08|solution]] to the Flood without firing the [[Halo Array]].<ref name="H3Flood"/> | ||
[[File:Floodgate1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Fleet of Retribution leaves through the Portal while Fleet Admiral Hood stays on Earth via Pelican.]] | [[File:Floodgate1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Fleet of Retribution leaves through the Portal while Fleet Admiral Hood stays on Earth via Pelican.]] | ||
Admiral Hood was determined to make his stand against the Flood on Earth. The Sangheili believed this to be foolish; there was little hope Earth could withstand a Flood spore, never mind a full Flood invasion, and they decided to place faith in Cortana and journey beyond the Portal. John-117 and Keyes convinced a weary Hood to allow them, and a UNSC task force to accompany the Sangheili.<ref name="H3Flood"/> | Admiral Hood was determined to make his stand against the Flood on Earth. The Sangheili believed this to be foolish; there was little hope Earth could withstand a Flood spore, never mind a full Flood invasion, and they decided to place faith in Cortana and journey beyond the Portal. John-117 and Keyes convinced a weary Hood to allow them, and a UNSC task force to accompany the Sangheili.<ref name="H3Flood"/> | ||
The final stand Hood expected never came; the next day, ''High Charity'' and the Flood arrived in the Sol system, but instead performed a Slipspace jump from Mars orbit to [[Installation 00]], an action that spared Earth from a second contamination.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2959975_Query--Catalog.aspx#post2959975|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Query: Catalog}} It was at the massive installation that the Flood and the remnants of the Covenant were defeated by the UNSC and Sangheili three weeks later. | The final stand Hood expected never came; the next day, ''High Charity'' and the Flood arrived in the Sol system, but instead performed a Slipspace jump from Mars orbit to [[Installation 00]], an action that spared Earth from a second contamination.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2959975_Query--Catalog.aspx#post2959975|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Query: Catalog}} It was at the massive installation that the Flood and the remnants of the Covenant were ultimately [[Battle of Installation 00|defeated]] by the UNSC and Sangheili three weeks later, bringing an end to the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] that nearly extinguished the [[human]] race. | ||
With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, the remainder of the Covenant was on Earth as | With the majority of Truth's forces now bound for the Ark, the remainder of the Covenant was on Earth as several fortified themselves in [[Arizona]], [[URNA]]. On December 3, Admiral Harper of the Fifth Fleet initiated [[Operation: MARSH FLASH]], which eradicated clusters of Jiralhanae leadership attempting to activate an artifact here. The UNSC was then finally able to repel or wipe out the remaining Covanant invader forces on the planet and the system, effectively bringing an end to the invasion. Despite suffering enormous military and civilian losses, the UNSC retained control of Earth. Marines involved in mopping up Jiralhanae holdouts employed the "Rex" [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance|VISR]] system.{{Ref/Game|Halo 5: Guardians|Detail=Rex VISR description}} {{clear|left}} | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
| Line 278: | Line 280: | ||
File:ODST Fast roping.png|ODSTs deploy into Cleveland to rescue the city's enslaved population. | File:ODST Fast roping.png|ODSTs deploy into Cleveland to rescue the city's enslaved population. | ||
File:Battle_of_Earth_Main.jpg|The UNSC Home Fleet engages newly-arrived Covenant forces led by the Prophet of Truth. | File:Battle_of_Earth_Main.jpg|The UNSC Home Fleet engages newly-arrived Covenant forces led by the Prophet of Truth. | ||
File: | File:H3 Sierra 117 Reynolds captured.jpg|Reynolds being interrogated by a Jiralhanae Captain. | ||
File:UNSC_screens.jpg|Screens showing force deployments late in the battle. | File:UNSC_screens.jpg|Screens showing force deployments late in the battle. | ||
File:Halo-3-The-Storm-15-AV-14-VTOL-HORNET.jpg|Hornet and Banshee aircraft battling in the skies above Voi. | File:Halo-3-The-Storm-15-AV-14-VTOL-HORNET.jpg|Hornet and Banshee aircraft battling in the skies above Voi. | ||