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Halo: Contact Harvest: Difference between revisions
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|image size= 200 | |image size= 200 | ||
|Author= [[Joseph Staten]] | |Author= [[Joseph Staten]] | ||
|Publisher= [[ | |Publisher= [[Tor Books]] | ||
|Date Released= October 30<sup>th</sup>, [[2007]] | |Date Released= October 30<sup>th</sup>, [[2007]] | ||
|Length= 400 pages<ref>http://www.tor-forge.com/halocontactharvest</ref> | |Length= 400 pages<ref>http://www.tor-forge.com/halocontactharvest</ref> | ||
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Following a failed anti-[[insurrectionist]] operation on the human colony of [[Tribute]] which leaves most of his unit killed, the [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marine]] [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] is sent on leave in the [[Greater Chicago Industrial Zone]] on [[Earth]]. When going to visit [[Marcille Johnson|his aunt]] in [[The Seropian|a retirement home]], he is shocked to discover her dead. As a result, he goes on a drinking spree. He eventually ends up being reassigned to the remote [[agriculture world]] of [[Harvest]] to get away from the front lines of the [[Insurrection]]. Much to his surprise, he finds his former squad mate, [[Nolan Byrne|Staff Sergeant Byrne]], assigned there as well. | Following a failed anti-[[insurrectionist]] operation on the human colony of [[Tribute]] which leaves most of his unit killed, the [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marine]] [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] is sent on leave in the [[Greater Chicago Industrial Zone]] on [[Earth]]. When going to visit [[Marcille Johnson|his aunt]] in [[The Seropian|a retirement home]], he is shocked to discover her dead. As a result, he goes on a drinking spree. He eventually ends up being reassigned to the remote [[agriculture world]] of [[Harvest]] to get away from the front lines of the [[Insurrection]]. Much to his surprise, he finds his former squad mate, [[Nolan Byrne|Staff Sergeant Byrne]], assigned there as well. | ||
On Harvest, there is only peace and prosperity. Watched by two [[Artificial | On Harvest, there is only peace and prosperity. Watched by two [[Artificial intelligence|Artificial Intelligences]], [[Sif]] and [[Mack]], the colony produces much of humanity's food. This peace is interrupted when a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[missionary ship]], ''[[Minor Transgression]]'', discovers a malfunctioning [[Horn of Plenty|unmanned human cargo ship]]. The coordinates registered in the cargo ship's [[navigation computer]] lead the aliens to Harvest. A [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Unggoy]], [[Deacon]] [[Dadab]], is alarmed when the ship's [[Luminary]] seems to register thousands of [[Forerunner]] artifacts and an [[05-032 Mendicant Bias|Oracle]] (Forerunner AI). The opportunistic Kig-Yar's plan to take some artifacts for themselves before reporting the discovery to the [[Hierarchs]], and begin surreptitiously raiding human [[freighter]]s. | ||
Unfortunately for the Kig-Yar, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has recently organized a strike team to counteract what they believed to be a growing [[insurrectionist]] group, including Staff Sergeant Johnson. They successfully deceive ''Minor Transgression'' into boarding [[Bulk Discount|a freighter]] where they are immediately attacked by Staff Sergeant Johnson and Staff Sergeant Byrne. Johnson receives a cracked skull from their meeting and Byrne is stabbed in the leg with an [[energy cutlass]]. This raid marks the first meeting of the humans and Covenant forces, and makes the humans aware of a brand new threat they may be facing. The vessel is self-destructed by its dying captain, with only the Deacon Dadab and his [[Huragok]] friend [[Lighter Than Some]] escaping in an escape pod. | Unfortunately for the Kig-Yar, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has recently organized a strike team to counteract what they believed to be a growing [[insurrectionist]] group, including Staff Sergeant Johnson. They successfully deceive ''Minor Transgression'' into boarding [[Bulk Discount|a freighter]] where they are immediately attacked by Staff Sergeant Johnson and Staff Sergeant Byrne. Johnson receives a cracked skull from their meeting and Byrne is stabbed in the leg with an [[energy cutlass]]. This raid marks the first meeting of the humans and Covenant forces, and makes the humans aware of a brand new threat they may be facing. The vessel is self-destructed by its dying captain, with only the Deacon Dadab and his [[Huragok]] friend [[Lighter Than Some]] escaping in an escape pod. | ||
While the UNSC prepares the [[Harvest Colonial Militia]] for a possible alien invasion, two ambitious [[San 'Shyuum]], the [[Prophet of Truth|Minister of Fortitude]] and the [[Prophet of Regret|Vice Minister of Tranquility]] learn of the large amount of "relics" found on Harvest and begin to plan a coup of the current Hierarchs using this as a fulcrum. To keep the [[Sangheili]] from using this discovery as a way to upset the balance of power, they utilize a Jiralhanae-controlled ship, ''[[Rapid Conversion]]'', captained by [[Maccabeus]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] at that time, and crewed by his [[Maccabeus Clan|pack]] of Jiralhanae (including a youthful [[Tartarus]]). The two began a secret attempt to seize the planet. This marks the beginning of the powerful alliance between the [[Jiralhanae]] and the San 'Shyuum, and the key to their eventual betrayal of the Sangheili leading to the [[Great Schism]] later in the war. | While the UNSC prepares the [[Harvest militia|Harvest Colonial Militia]] for a possible alien invasion, two ambitious [[San 'Shyuum]], the [[Prophet of Truth|Minister of Fortitude]] and the [[Prophet of Regret|Vice Minister of Tranquility]] learn of the large amount of "relics" found on Harvest and begin to plan a coup of the current Hierarchs using this as a fulcrum. To keep the [[Sangheili]] from using this discovery as a way to upset the balance of power, they utilize a Jiralhanae-controlled ship, ''[[Rapid Conversion]]'', captained by [[Maccabeus]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] at that time, and crewed by his [[Maccabeus Clan|pack]] of Jiralhanae (including a youthful [[Tartarus]]). The two began a secret attempt to seize the planet. This marks the beginning of the powerful alliance between the [[Jiralhanae]] and the San 'Shyuum, and the key to their eventual betrayal of the Sangheili leading to the [[Great Schism]] later in the war. | ||
''Rapid Conversion'' arrives in the system to find the [[Covenant escape pod|escape pod]] containing Dadab and the Huragok, Lighter Than Some, much to the devout Maccabeus' delight. The Jiralhanae use the Deacon as a way to motivate their own lackluster complement of Unggoys and Lighter than Some to repair their intentionally crippled ship. They all soon discover the planet's vast store of reclamations and a message of peace left by Sif and Mack in the form of a crude pictogram displaying a desire for peace. Their Luminary also indicates that there is an Oracle on the planet. The Jiralhanae land two [[Type- | ''Rapid Conversion'' arrives in the system to find the [[Covenant escape pod|escape pod]] containing Dadab and the Huragok, Lighter Than Some, much to the devout Maccabeus' delight. The Jiralhanae use the Deacon as a way to motivate their own lackluster complement of Unggoys and Lighter than Some to repair their intentionally crippled ship. They all soon discover the planet's vast store of reclamations and a message of peace left by Sif and Mack in the form of a crude pictogram displaying a desire for peace. Their Luminary also indicates that there is an Oracle on the planet. The Jiralhanae land two [[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Spirit]] dropships at a specified date, with only the desire to capture the entire planet at any cost. The attempt at peaceful contact falls apart after an errant Unggoy attacks Harvest Colonial Militiaman [[Osmo]], and the one-sided [[First Battle of Harvest|Battle of Harvest]] begins. | ||
Meanwhile, the ambitious San 'Shyuum begin their mutiny of sorts by invoking the [[Prophet of Restraint]] in a conspiracy that will lead to his removal if revealed. They seek a blessing by the long silent [[Oracle]] present on the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]. They visit an old, supposedly senile Philologist, for blessings and advice. When they input the discovery of Harvest and the Luminary's data, the Oracle, which is in fact a fragment of the Forerunner [[Contender-class | Meanwhile, the ambitious San 'Shyuum begin their mutiny of sorts by invoking the [[Prophet of Restraint]] in a conspiracy that will lead to his removal if revealed. They seek a blessing by the long silent [[Oracle]] present on the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]. They visit an old, supposedly senile Philologist, for blessings and advice. When they input the discovery of Harvest and the Luminary's data, the Oracle, which is in fact a fragment of the Forerunner [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class AI]] [[05-032 Mendicant Bias|032 Mendicant Bias]], suddenly awakens from eons of dormancy and reveals that they've been misinterpreting their findings. What the Kig-Yar thought were artifacts were actually registering the presence of the Humans on Harvest, which it claims are [[Reclaimer]]s, and refers to them as his makers. The Minister of Fortitude concludes that these Reclaimers are living Forerunners and were left behind when the rest transcended. Wishing to make amends for his [[the Flood|bias]], Mendicant begins to power up the Dreadnought to take the humans to [[Installation 00|the Ark]], an act which will destroy ''[[High Charity]]'', but is short-circuited by [[Lekgolo]] worms exploring the vessel's pathways. Realizing that the discovery of living Forerunners would tear the Covenant apart, the San 'Shyuum swear to secrecy, induct the Philologist into their conspiracy and accelerate their plans for takeover. | ||
On Harvest, the humans begin to resist the assault by the Jiralhanae ship on select towns on the planet by shuttling as many civilians as possible to the town's capital. Maccabeus is informed that his ship's luminary was broken and he is to [[glassing|destroy]] the planet, but the devout Chieftain decides to continue his search for relics while attacking the humans. The planet's AI, Mack, normally responsible for the agricultural [[ | On Harvest, the humans begin to resist the assault by the Jiralhanae ship on select towns on the planet by shuttling as many civilians as possible to the town's capital. Maccabeus is informed that his ship's luminary was broken and he is to [[glassing|destroy]] the planet, but the devout Chieftain decides to continue his search for relics while attacking the humans. The planet's AI, Mack, normally responsible for the agricultural [[Jotun Heavy Industries|JOTUNs]], hands over his vast network to his previously concealed doppelganger, [[Loki]], a ship AI now implemented as a defense mechanism. The Colonial Militia manages to ferry most of the surviving population to [[Utgard]], the capital, and then begin their plan to send these people to safety aboard the Freighters on top of the seven Space elevators present on Harvest, the [[Tiara]]. The Jiralhanae, having stationed their Unggoy forces in the Tiara, unwittingly allow the Huragok Lighter Than Some to come into contact with Loki and the now nearly destroyed AI Sif. The Huragok, disgusted by the killing and wishing to end it, shows the A.I. how to duplicate the Forerunner symbol for "Oracle" and helps lure the Covenant ship in range of the colony's sole mass driver and cripple it. While Johnson leads a small force up the space elevator to clear the Unggoy on board, Tartarus, angered by his uncle's refusal to simply glass the planet, challenges Maccabeus, kills him and takes control of his Pack and counterattacks. During the assault, a jealous group of Yanme'e kills Lighter Than Some. A devastated Dadab slaughters them with his [[type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]], accidentally irreparably damaging Sif's arrays, and then uses the pistol's last shot to wound Tartarus. Tartarus, who was about to engage Jenkins, loses his energy shields and retreats, but not before obliterating Dadab with the [[Fist of Rukt]]. Just after the last human survivors escape the Tiara, Loki fires the mass driver at the Tiara, destroying the station along with Sif and bringing the elevators down on the planet. | ||
The Jiralhanae begin to glass Harvest while the refugees flee. The scheming San 'Shyuum usurp the Hierarchs and become the High Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]], [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and finally declare holy war on the humans, to prevent any of the Covenant from ever discovering their true place as the Forerunner's heirs. The last we hear of Avery is him in the cockpit having sex with Jilan. The newly established High Prophets recommission the [[Luminary]] as a means to locate human planets, and thus begins the [[Human-Covenant War]]. In the following months, Harvest is glassed while Mack desperately attempts to contact Sif while burying the Tiara's strands with the JOTUNs. | The Jiralhanae begin to glass Harvest while the refugees flee. The scheming San 'Shyuum usurp the Hierarchs and become the High Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]], [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and finally declare holy war on the humans, to prevent any of the Covenant from ever discovering their true place as the Forerunner's heirs. The last we hear of Avery is him in the cockpit having sex with Jilan. The newly established High Prophets recommission the [[Luminary]] as a means to locate human planets, and thus begins the [[Human-Covenant War]]. In the following months, Harvest is glassed while Mack desperately attempts to contact Sif while burying the Tiara's strands with the JOTUNs. | ||
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*[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] | *[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] | ||
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jilan al-Cygni]] | *[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jilan al-Cygni]] | ||
*[[Captain ( | *[[Captain (ground forces)|Captain]] [[Ponder]] | ||
*[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Nolan Byrne]] | *[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Nolan Byrne]] | ||
*[[Petty Officer First Class]] [[Healy]] | *[[Petty Officer First Class]] [[Healy]] | ||
*[[Thune|Governor Thune]] | *[[Nils Thune|Governor Thune]] | ||
*[[Rol Pedersen|Attorney General Rol Pedersen]] | *[[Rol Pedersen|Attorney General Rol Pedersen]] | ||
*[[Private First Class]] [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] | *[[Private First Class]] [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] | ||
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*Prior to the release of the novel, which takes place in the year 2525, confusion arose over the appearance of the anachronous [[BR55 Battle Rifle]] in the cover art. In Bungie Podcast III, Joseph Staten hinted as to why the BR55 would appear in ''Contact Harvest'', and it was confirmed that the BR55 had been in use by ONI as a [[XBR55 Battle Rifle|prototype weapon]] since [[2524]] | *Prior to the release of the novel, which takes place in the year 2525, confusion arose over the appearance of the anachronous [[BR55 Battle Rifle]] in the cover art. In Bungie Podcast III, Joseph Staten hinted as to why the BR55 would appear in ''Contact Harvest'', and it was confirmed that the BR55 had been in use by ONI as a [[XBR55 Battle Rifle|prototype weapon]] since [[2524]] | ||
*One of the [[Unggoy]] of ''[[Rapid Conversion]]'' makes reference to his cousin [[Yayap]], a soldier under the [[Sangheili]]. This is a reference to the same character featured in ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', who serves as [[Zuka 'Zamamee]]'s assistant. | *One of the [[Unggoy]] of ''[[Rapid Conversion]]'' makes reference to his cousin [[Yayap]], a soldier under the [[Sangheili]]. This is a reference to the same character featured in ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', who serves as [[Zuka 'Zamamee]]'s assistant. | ||
*As with all the ''Halo'' novels, the ''[[ | *As with all the ''Halo'' novels, the ''[[Marathon]]'' symbol appears between the "A" and "L" of the cover's ''Halo'' logo. | ||
*[[Catherine Halsey]] makes a very brief "appearance" in the post-epilogue conversation between Mack and Sif under the pseudonym "Charlie Hotel". | *[[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Catherine Halsey]] makes a very brief "appearance" in the post-epilogue conversation between Mack and Sif under the pseudonym "Charlie Hotel". | ||
*The [[The Seropian|Seropian Center for Active Retirement]] is named for [[Bungie]] Co-Founder [[Alexander Seropian]]. | *The [[The Seropian|Seropian Center for Active Retirement]] is named for [[Bungie]] Co-Founder [[Alexander Seropian]]. | ||
*This is currently the only ''Halo'' book not to feature [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]], although it does perhaps reference the [[ORION Project]] which resulted in the SPARTAN-Is. | *This is currently the only ''Halo'' book not to feature [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]], although it does perhaps reference the [[ORION Project]] which resulted in the SPARTAN-Is. | ||