Thomas Lasky: Difference between revisions

Some time after the battle, Lasky was commissioned into the [[UNSC Navy]] and qualified himself as a Naval aviator, flying fighter craft. Lasky was later retrained as a ship warfare officer.<ref name="h4guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide '''Halo 4 Interactive Guide''']</ref> During the Covenant's [[Battle of Earth|attack on Earth]] and the rest of the [[Sol system]], Lasky demonstrated notable skill in flying a [[Type-26 Banshee]] in [[Ankara]], [[Luna]].<ref name="escalation2">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref><ref group="note">It is never stated when or under what circumstances Lasky flew the Banshee in Ankara. However, given that he makes a reference to an after-action report of the incident in ''Halo: Escalation'', it is most apparent that it occurred during the Battle of Earth.</ref>

By the end of the war, Lasky had risen to the rank of commander and had been appointed as the [[executive officer]] of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the most powerful vessel in the Fleet. This posting was partially arranged by [[Margaret Parangosky|Admiral Margaret Parangosky]], who thought highly of Lasky.<ref name="ttw48"/> In [[2553#January|January 2553]], he gave a tour of the ship to [[Jun-A266]] and four of the first [[SPARTAN-IV]]s, including [[Sarah Palmer]]. This was interrupted when [[Ilsa Zane]] and a group of Insurrectionists [[Raid on UNSC Infinity|took control of the ''Infinity'']] disguised as construction workers while Lasky and the Spartans were on ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s S-Deck. The insurgents were a part of the [[New Colonial Alliance]] and wished to steal the ''Infinity'' so they could use the vessel for their own ambitions. Zane and her rebels took Del Rio and the ship's bridge crew hostage and shut down [[Aine]], the ship's temporary [[AI]], leaving Lasky and the Spartans to end the raid.<ref>'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref> As Lasky and the Spartans make their way to the bridge, Zane decompressed S-Deck, ejecting several of the ship's crew members into space, with Lasky and Jun being saved by Palmer and [[Edward Davis]]. With the Spartans' help, Lasky was able to reach a security panel and input override codes, which gave Del Rio and the other officers access to the bridge and reactivated Aine. Meanwhile, Palmer and Davis made their way to the bridge along the exterior hull of the ship. When Zane attempted to have her insurgents attack Lasky and the other Spartans, Lasky closed a [[blast door]] between them. While Davis eliminated most of the rebels, Palmer ejected Zane into space. With the UNSC in control of the ''Infinity'' again, the remaining insurgents were captured and interrogated by the UNSC.<ref>'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>

Upon returning to Earth, Lasky was requested to appear before the [[UNSC Security Council]] at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]]. He and Palmer were debriefed about the [[Second Battle of Requiem]]. Admiral Serin Osman berated him regarding the complete destruction of Requiem and the failed assassination of Dr. Halsey. Palmer defended Lasky's actions in order to spare him of any ramifications. Shortly after, Lasky met with [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] who pulled ''Infinity'' away from the pursuit of 'Mdama in order for it to partake in a more pressing matter. Lasky accompanied Hood on a diplomatic mission to [[Ealen IV]] to provide security in peace talks between [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]. During the negotiations, [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant mercenaries]] attacked the delegates. Lasky and the Spartan-IVs defended the delegation and evacuated them from the chamber. When their evacuation ship was destroyed, they proceeded to escort the delegates to a nearby parts depot. With communications to their ships having been blocked, they were left without any reinforcements.<ref name="HE1">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #1''</ref>

Ray and Lasky attacked a Covenant base and destroyed the source of the Covenant jamming signal. Once the communications interference was cleared, Lasky contacted ''Infinity'' and told them about the Covenant attack. [[Bradley|Commander Bradley]] informed him of the situation between the feuding Jiralhanae and Sangheili ships in orbit. Lasky told him to patch him through to the fleets and ordered them to cease their infighting and direct their ships to the planet in order to save the delegation.<ref name="HE3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>

Days later, he and Lord Hood discussed the troubling prospect that the UNSC's hierarchy had been severely breached, as only someone in the upper echelon could have leaked the location of the negotiations. Both men agreed that the matter needed to be investigated off the books. Lasky sought to enlist the help of his childhood friend, the journalist [[Petra Janecek]], although Hood was uneasy about this decision. Lasky departed ''Infinity'' along with Spartan Ray and arrived in [[Castiglione]] on [[Escala III]] on March 10. They met with Janecek who agreed to help Lasky root out the spy in return for information about the Master Chief's whereabouts.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #4''</ref>

Janecek, Lasky and Ray traveled to the Sangheili colony of [[Karava]]. Shortly after their arrival in the trade port of [[Kor Delban]], a Sangheili called [['Lordan]] felt provoked by Ray's attitude and drew his energy sword. Lasky attempted to stop a fight from breaking out, but before he could intervene Petra shot and killed the Elite. The trio then entered a local bar, where they met [[Zef 'Trahl]], Petra's contact. Zef informed them about Vata 'Gajat and his human collaborator, [[Daniel Clayton|Captain Daniel Clayton]], whereupon Lasky was surprised. Petra and Naiya asked him if he knew Clayton would betray the UNSC. Lasky confirmed their suspicions and revealed to them that Clayton was the illegitimate son of [[James Cutter|Captain James Cutter]], commanding officer of the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref>

Three days later, Naiya and Lasky returned to ''Infinity'' near [[Oth Lodon]]. During their time away, ''Infinity'' had been lured into a trap by Captain Clayton and [[Ambush at Oth Lodon|attacked]] by the [[New Colonial Alliance]]. ''Infinity'' was saved by the Spartans who captured Clayton and killed [[Vata 'Gajat]]. Arriving onboard the ship, Lasky was greeted by Palmer who apologized for her behavior following the events on Ealen IV. Lasky accepted her apology and expressed guilt for not uncovering Clayton's ploy fast enough. Palmer assured him he was not to blame as it was Lord Hood that had taken off without him, telling Lasky to just call it a rough day and move on.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #6''</ref>