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Battle of Sigma Octanus IV: Difference between revisions
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The battle in the space above Sigma Octanus IV can be viewed as having two stages. The first part of the battle consisted of Commander Keyes taking his lone destroyer, the ''Iroquois'' to intercept the Covenant. However, Keyes faced a numerically and technically superior force consisting of two [[Covenant Frigate]]s, one [[Covenant Destroyer|Destroyer]], and one [[Assault Carrier]]. Through brilliant maneuvers and some quick thinking, Keyes was able to destroy three of the four Covenant ships. For details involving this battle, see the [[Keyes Loop]]. Unfortunately, the [[Assault Carrier]] managed to escape. This is significant because this was the first battle in which a Covenant ship had fled during combat. The pride and honor of the [[Sangheili]] [[Ship Master]]s obligates them to stay in a battle until they or all of the enemy are all destroyed. Keyes was perplexed by this but his superiors shrugged off the revelation. This was one of the only space battles when the UNSC was able to win when outnumbered 4:1 ratio. | The battle in the space above Sigma Octanus IV can be viewed as having two stages. The first part of the battle consisted of Commander Keyes taking his lone destroyer, the ''Iroquois'' to intercept the Covenant. However, Keyes faced a numerically and technically superior force consisting of two [[Covenant Frigate]]s, one [[Covenant Destroyer|Destroyer]], and one [[Assault Carrier]]. Through brilliant maneuvers and some quick thinking, Keyes was able to destroy three of the four Covenant ships. For details involving this battle, see the [[Keyes Loop]]. Unfortunately, the [[Assault Carrier]] managed to escape. This is significant because this was the first battle in which a Covenant ship had fled during combat. The pride and honor of the [[Sangheili]] [[Ship Master]]s obligates them to stay in a battle until they or all of the enemy are all destroyed. Keyes was perplexed by this but his superiors shrugged off the revelation. This was one of the only space battles when the UNSC was able to win when outnumbered 4:1 ratio. | ||
The second part of the space battle involved the UNSC fleet of 47 ships led by Admiral Stanforth against a smaller but technically stronger [[Covenant Fleet]]. This part of the space battle was unique in two ways. It is so because it was one of the few major victories that the UNSC had had in space (despite major losses) since [[Harvest]] was retaken. Also, in this battle, new tactics were used. One of the most prevalent was the usage of a refit station to provide cover for the UNSC fleet. This tactic was later reused at the [[Battle of Reach]]. Another is the staggered line tactic used by the UNSC fleet, allowing the first two salvos of [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] rounds launched by the first and second lines of ships to disable the enemy's shields while a third salvo launched from the first line's recharged cannons | The second part of the space battle involved the UNSC fleet of 47 ships led by Admiral Stanforth against a smaller but technically stronger [[Covenant Fleet]]. This part of the space battle was unique in two ways. It is so because it was one of the few major victories that the UNSC had had in space (despite major losses) since [[Harvest]] was retaken. Also, in this battle, new tactics were used. One of the most prevalent was the usage of a refit station to provide cover for the UNSC fleet. This tactic was later reused at the [[Battle of Reach]]. Another is the staggered line tactic used by the UNSC fleet, allowing the first two salvos of [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] rounds launched by the first and second lines of ships to disable the enemy's shields while a third salvo launched from the first line's recharged cannons punched through the ships. | ||
As a result of the battle, there was much debris left in orbit around Sigma Octanus IV. [[HAZMAT]] teams swept the area but the area around the planet remained a navigational hazard for the next decade.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''</ref> | As a result of the battle, there was much debris left in orbit around Sigma Octanus IV. [[HAZMAT]] teams swept the area but the area around the planet remained a navigational hazard for the next decade.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''</ref> | ||